Girls and Women

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 5:33-34

and

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:41-43

Little girl arise
your healing has come
God delights in your making
your rounded shape the high
glistening pitches of your voice,
Your creator delights in your dance
and you have been made perfect
and complete.

Old woman once bent
twice healed by touch and by voice
the Savior of the world declares
your steadfast faith
in the face of shame, destruction
ridicule, poverty and abandonment.

We are little girls and old women all,
dancing and cringing, praying
that our offering is worthy
understanding that generations
silent and culturally appropriate
have their eyes on us from eternity
from their long abandoned hopes
their lost dreams, raise their prayers
still for women young and old alike.

Get up and feast and tell your story
for the God of love has created you
perfectly, completely, wonderfully
and your brokenness is not God's gift
nor punishment from a cruel maker,
but a jealous anger from the other side.

Get up and dance and sing your story
for Christ comes near to those who witness
he touches those who are fearless despite
the agony of rules, the oppression
of fashion, beauty and control.

Little girl arise, old woman look up
for the Savior draws near delighting
in your warn hands, your radiant smile
the breath of life which you both carry,
carry for God, who created you, wonderful,
perfect and complete.