The Bleeding Woman

A woman was bleeding for twelve years. Anything she did to get better only made it worse.

Misery.

Taking a step of faith, she saw Jesus in a crowd and manuvered close to him. Reaching out and touching the edge of his cloak, she was healed. Twelve years of shame, and pain, gone.

Despite the fact that Jesus was surrounded by people touching him, pushing against him, pressing close upon him, he knew that one woman had touched him.  He wanted to see her face and speak to her. She mattered that much to him.  It was not important that he was supposed to be going with a Synogogue Ruler to his house; Mr. Big Cheese could wait.  Jesus needed to talk to this woman.

The woman fell at his feet, trembling with fear, and told him what happened.  He told her "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Faith.

After twelve long years.  After many, many doctors who only made her condition worse.  After suffering continuously, without respite.  After being shut out from society.  After having shame reaped on upon her head.  After all of this, she had faith enough to try one more thing. 

Heck, who knows?  Perhaps her mind was filled with doubt.  Perhaps the screams telling her it would not work all but drowned out the tiny whisper of hope; but that tiny whisper was all it took.  That miniscule breeze that could scarcely stir the fog of despair was all the faith it took to reach for the cloak hem and heal 12 years of suffering.

Woah. 

If that little faith can accomplish that much, then why haven't the Christians of the world stepped up and used it yet?

P.S.  This story can be found in Mark 5:25-34