A woman’s life is punctuated with moments of sheer joy but also deep heartache.

She was no different.

She awakened that morning feeling the familiar stabbing pains of overwhelm, isolation and rejection. Though outwardly her life appeared full, inside she was emotionally and physically exhausted. She often felt judged, used and cast aside by others. Her smile hid her truth.

Oh, she had tried various remedies only to be left feeling broken, disappointed and discarded. Would today be different?

She had heard of His reputation for healing. Yet by the religious standards of her day she was not allowed to be there. Her history and circumstances screamed “you don’t belong here,” “you are not worthy,” “you are not qualified,” “you are not enough.”

He didn’t care. Religion did not interest Him. Relationships did.

Hoping to slip in then quietly depart she believed “if I could just touch his clothes, I would be healed.” (Mark 5:28)

Touching the soft folds of his hem, she felt power come in. He felt power depart. A shared moment between this Master and His daughter and her life was forever altered.

His touch said “you have not been forgotten, you matter, you are valued and you are worthy.”

He said “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34)

She came to him mustering the last bits of faith and left overflowing with peace and freedom.

He never asked her to fill out a form, confess her sins, reveal her age or weight, list her achievements or explain each failure ever made. He simply saw a daughter who needed restoration, healing and reminding of her value and worth from her Father.

Yes, He sees when the relationship we prayed for ends, the friend we trusted betrays us, the career that once defined us now drains us, the marriage we invested years in collapses, the people we sought to please have now departed, and the life we thought would bring happiness leaves us empty.

We don’t know if this woman was also a mom, an aunt, a sister, co-worker or friend. We do know that she is you and she is me.

When we too determine to press through the crowd of anger, overwhelm, hurt and heartache to move into His presence, with His one touch our hopelessness becomes sweet peace, our fears become lasting freedom.

Here He reminds us that we are His. We are loved unconditionally, we matter and we have not been overlooked. Here the religious rules are thrown aside so a beautiful relationship between a Father and His little girl can thrive.

My encouragement for you today is simply to inspire you to get into His presence and allow Him to remind you of WHO you are in Him and that you are cherished, important and worthy of His time, His love, His grace, His presence and His touch.  Because you are.

Sandra Hubbard
Elevate – Chic Inspired Living