Daughter

Mark Chapter 5

 

 

The din from townsfolk starting their day outside her window woke her

She had finally fallen asleep just a few hours ago

The pain robbed her of much needed rest most nights

She used to rise before dawn and bake for the early market

But she couldn’t bake now, nor even heat her tiny room

She had survived the bitter cold of winter…

Mercifully it was Spring, the warmer days made it easier

 

A few of the women came to check on her from time to time

Someone left food in her window each morning

It wasn’t much, no one had much to spare

But it did give her some strength

And strength was at a premium these days

Her doctors could do nothing for her

They said her condition must be the will of God

 

Perhaps they were right, but that was fine

She was ready for it to end… she didn’t want to live like this

Begging for handouts was not her way

She knew God still heard her prayer

Especially her prayer when it was the worst, always at night

Last night was a perfect example

He had lifted the pain enough to allow her some sleep

 

There was one more thing to do though, one more hope

She had heard that a prophet was coming to town

And not just another of the self-appointed zealots

This one was different they said

One hears things through the window when that’s all one can do

She had heard this prophet can heal

And she had enough left in her to give God one last chance

 

She had been saving her last clean garment for her burial

But this morning she put it on

Yesterday’s water in the basin was enough to wash her face

She had to rest after brushing her hair, but she was ready now

If the prophet came near she would look presentable

If he was truly a man of God he would help… so she would wait

This would be her test of him; she knew God had heard her

 

At midday there was a noise in the distance

People were quickly walking by her window and talking excitedly

She heard someone shout “the prophet is coming, he’s coming”

She knew it was now or never

All she had to do was get to the door

Even that seemed too far

She whispered “God help me”, her throat was dry

 

Her eyes stung when she opened the door

But the sunlight felt good on her face

The street was lined by the crowd, the whole town was there

If she could just get to the edge where he could see her

She had no strength but she tried to push her way through

No one would move aside, they didn’t even notice her

They were all looking for the prophet

 

“It’s him” someone cried, “it’s Jesus”

Her heart was pounding now, her legs trembling beneath her

Those in her way wouldn’t move, “let me pass, please”, she implored

But they couldn’t hear her above the crowd

She was growing faint, she couldn’t stand any longer

As her knees gave way she pleaded one last time “God, please”

She fell forward into the street and tried to catch herself

 

Her hand brushed the bottom of a robe, the hem was dusty and worn

The procession paused and the crowd immediately fell silent, silent

She looked up from the ground at a man silhouetted against the sun

A gentle voice asked, “who touched my clothes?”

Her hand found the bottom of the robe again and she began to weep

“Could it be” she asked herself… “Rabbi” she said with much effort

“Daughter” she heard the gentle voice say, and His hand upon her arm.

Reviews

[Kelly D. Burris]

This is a totally awesome piece to experience. The pictures you paint with your words and the emotions that are pulled to compassion by the reader for this woman is magnificantly done!
You definitely have a ministry of 'beholding women'. I'm so blessed to be able to experience it.
The faith expounded upon here is so encouraging, even if it's been of scripture written long ago, it still encourages today. Timeless is the word of God.
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful piece!
Kelly

[Emily B]

I've been reading. I'm up to Romans now. You brought this story from Matthew to life for me. I got goosebumps reading your words here.

[Liza]

this was a smooth read and the story came alive with emotion and imagery, thank you for sharing.

[emmajoy]

What an exquisitely told representation of the story, one to make the sniffers and scoffers rock back on their heels. This is faith, true faith wrapped in the love for a higher spirit.

There's no sermonising here, no shoving into belief, no soapbox oratory .. an almost humble story, based on the biblical piece about a woman and the issue of blood.. such a long trial, such a long hope that someone somewhere would help if not cure. We all have to wait and trust .. it might be all we can do but, faith takes us into places inside ourselves that we don't know exist.

A wonderfully written prose-poem.

[Mark]

Your ability to carry us into the home and heart of this woman, to whom the Bible gives but a few lines, is remarkable. Frankly, it wasn't until late that I discerned who the story was about; I had set myself up for a different outcome altogether! Glad to be wrong!
I've written a poem, called "This Son Of God", which deals with a different aspect of this world-changing weekend. I'd appreciate your opinions on it, as you are obviously a man of faith.
Yours Sincerely,
Mark Teague

[Jamie S.]

I felt her weakness, daily struggles, and pain. Your words left me with vivid mental images through the whole story. Even with that said I could feel such a inner strength and determination from her as well. Bravo!!

[Winter McPherson]

Timeless! I knew who it was early on. The woman with the bleeding disease. Lovely how you captured it - her resolve over her condition, her desperation to reach him, the hush of the crowd. Beautifully done! Thank you for writing this one, for giving us a fresh view of an old story.

[Tara Jean Olson]

oh my gosh. once again, i am speechless. i love that you painted such a vivid scene, too

[Kitty]

TL Boehm recommended this read...
Thank you TL.

I just wrote a poem out of this same story, I wrote it because in my Free Verse class in church, our teacher asked us to write a poem about God's touch. I ended up writing about Us touching God and what that does to the spirit..you wrote and captured what I in other words conveyed in MY poem. :)

God is the pursuer of our souls, and in this story is an example of what happens when we come in contact with Jesus and his Awesome power and love..
She probably had never met him but what great faith it is to know that if we can just be in his presence we can be healed of anything, physical, mental, spiritual. Its up to us to believe He can do it.. The rest is up to Him...

I'm in love with God,
Melba

[Emily B]

Preacher told a story last week. Mr. Clary came to church every Sunday even though his children said it was too much. They begged him to stay home. What if he had a heart attack? He said--that if he was to die he'd just as soon it be someplace he so loved to be.

Prayers are answered.

[J. Hampton]

The woman with the isue of blood...

This was so wonderfully writeen...the prose like style made each line indepenently digestable
Your descriptive work is perfect....in physical imagery as well as implied setting.
felt almost as though this was a sample ...of an epic piece.

a treasure !

Blesssssssssssss