Take Heart, Daughter

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district. Matthew 9:18-26

I have been scolded more than once when I have called other women girls. Yet, I think us girls are amazing, the capacity to face the complexities of our world and not give up on life. I also like being called a daughter, and miss my parents profoundly, who loved their daughters and their son completely.  We are all the small children we once were, whether we had wonderful or terrible childhood. The scars and the blessings are in us all. And Jesus called them both daughter, the older woman and the little girl, seeing the beloved children that they truly were. And we are named God's beloved children, precious and deserving of all blessings and healings.

Loving Creator, we are your beloved offspring

the children of the hope springs of your heart

we are tethered to you throughout our lives

and we are imprinted with your love and grace.

Too often the world hurts and scars us all

and we think that you are to blame for it

yet your eyes see us only as the beloved

and your heart aches for all our suffering.

May we remember your love for all of us

and remember the hopeful child within

so we might share the love you have given

and know that we are loved and called by name. Amen.