The story of the healing of the bleeding woman and the synagogue leader’s daughter has been popping up a lot recently. I wonder why. I had forgotten the two healings were related in time. The bleeding woman touches Jesus while he is on his way to heal the leader’s daughter. Both healings came through touch and through faith. The bleeding woman thought, if I just touch his cloak then I’ll be well. The synagogue leader, Jairus, says, “come and lay your hand on her, and she will be well.”
Can you imagine touching him?
Some details vary, but in every retelling, Jesus is mocked for believing the daughter lives, for hoping when hope was lost.
Can you imagine mocking Jesus?
I’ve always marveled at the hemorrhaging woman’s healing. Jesus was in a crowd, clearly being touched and jostled and bumped by many, but he notices her touch. His power to heal was present the entire time, but was accessed by her faith. Not just her belief in her mind, but her bravery at coming to him and touching his cloak. Did this healing bolster Jairus’ faith? Was he worried by the delay or reassured that his faith in Jesus was well placed? The Gospel writers don’t say. They only cared to show Jesus willingness and ability to do what others could not – to heal and forgive, to cure and restore. New life.
Our summer trip begins tomorrow. Two weeks of driving, visiting family and friends, and church camp. Lots of time outside. Lots of togetherness. When we return, there will still be three weeks of summer break, but somehow it feels like it’ll all be over then.
I’ve been preparing for the two ministries I think will take up most of my volunteering time this year. As assistant coordinator for our MOPS group, I’ve been wading through the tonnage of resources. So many videos. I love planning. It feels like creating art – painting the broad strokes of vision and values, gluing each detail, knitting together themes and ideas, snipping loose ends, hammering each detail as if I really control life. The value of MOPS, though, is in the relationships and discussions. I see now the resources are meant to reduce the preparations so we spend more time supporting and encouraging one another. We have to model that as leaders.
I completed the training to become a Stephen Minister, but this weekend also did the training to be a facilitator of supervision groups. I’m now trained to facilitate small groups to provide peer supervision for those who are working with care receivers. I really like Stephen Ministry — the program, the resources, the values, the processes. I’m trying to take some of what they do well and incorporate it into how we do MOPS. Both ministries are about relationships, listening to those in need and walking with one another. I wish I had words to describe how much I love this work.