Healing on the way

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:24-24

People don't often talk about their commutes unless they are treacherous. We don't usually share car trip stories unless something funny or horrible happened along the way. I had found that when I was driving in the car with our daughters when they were teenagers, it was the best time to listen to them talk, and the best time to laugh with them. Many a heart and mind has changed while waiting for light to turn green or while driving to a lacrosse game or a swimming meet. Precious little ever went well when we tried to plan a family meeting, but when we were traveling together, we learned to laugh and understand anew. My daughter Emily and I had a chance to travel together last week, and the fun and challenges we shared have made us ever closer. Even drying our rinsed our clothes as we were delayed overnight in Chicago, gave us stories to tell and adventures to laugh about.

Jesus heals a woman on the way to Jairus' house. Jairus' daughter is dying and he has begged Jesus to come before it is too late. They get caught up in a crowd and a vey ill and broken reaches out and touches Jesus. He doesn't see her or know her, but she is healed on the way. She is fearful but reaches out in faith, realizing her only moment might be there and never again. And Jesus tells her that her faith has made her whole. She took a chance, during a chance encounter and her whole world changed. And we do not know her name but she stands throughout all time as a symbol of faith and giving all. She has a moment and she sizes it.

Today, I want to remember that the little moments along the way are as important as the big events we await. I want to enjoy each moment God has given me, and size all the possibilities that come before me, knowing that God is always offering if I am willing to see. May we all live in the present moment, knowing there is healing for all along the way.