An Issue of Blood

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. (Mark 5:25-29, KJV)

Desperate. Out of money. Out of patience. Separated from loved ones. Labeled as unclean. This unnamed woman had reached the end of her rope. Her "issue of blood" had resulted in so many more issues that recovery seemed impossible. But her hope wasn't completely gone. She had heard of Jesus and the many people he had healed. So, when Jesus passed through her town (on his way to heal someone else), hoping no one would recognize her or pay her any attention, she reached through the crowd she wasn't supposed to be in. As Jesus' garment slipped through her fingers, she felt restoration course through her entire body. She was not unnoticed.

As we make our way through heartaches, headaches, difficulties, and just ...life. We, too, can reach out and grasp the presence and power of the one who bought our restoration - our wholeness - with his own "issue of blood". We, too, are not unnoticed.

34 He said, "Your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your dis-ease."

(paraphrased from Mark 5:34)