Faith. Such an important word in our home. My oldest daughter’s first name, given because of the walk that God took me on while I was carrying her. And it’s the overriding topic of discussion in the Daniels home during this Epiphany season. It’s a simple concept…but so much harder to live out in daily life. Mark 5 tells us of a dying girl’s father, Jairus. There was no wavering in Jairus’ words when he said to Jesus, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” (NIV) He believed. So he asked. In the same way, the sick woman came to Jesus in a place that couldn’t have been easy for her to be. The people were pressing around Jesus. It was standing room only, so to speak. Bleeding for 12 years, I picture her, pale and wan, desperate after having tried every healing ointment and potion that others could recommend. And yet, day after day, the very source of her life continued to flow from her body. There is nothing to suggest that these two people had any knowledge of each other but they had one very important thing in common. A firm faith in Jesus. They both believed that He was exactly who He said He was. And they both believed that a touch from Him could restore life and health.
This is the faith I want to have. This is the faith that I want to share with my daughters. I want them to rest fully in the knowledge that one touch from their Savior will set things right. Maybe not in the way that they think, but always in the way that they need. I hope that they will take the desires of their hearts to Him and that they will allow Him to shape those desires so that their hearts more fully resemble His. I long for this for myself. To rest so fully in the capable hands of the Son of God that I can’t help but search for Him, even in a place that is uncomfortable. I want to be the kind of person who calls to Jesus first before I seek answers and comfort elsewhere.
Jesus restored health in both the life of the sick woman and the life of Jairus’ daughter. The sick woman felt health and vitality return to her body immediately. A child, who had been dead, stood up and walked around and then had something to eat. And all it took was a touch. And faith enough to seek Him.