Be An Intentional Woman

by Stacey | Jul 4, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement

The crowd in Capernaum surrounded Jesus. Some people knew Him, some didn’t. Some, like his close friends, knew him well; others were simply curious, enjoying the excitement in the air. But one person in this crowd, a woman, used the swarms of people to hide. She knew enough about Jesus to believe that one touch from Him could provide her relief from years of suffering.

Luke 8: 43-48

43 And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

This woman had spent the last twelve years of her life, (and quite possibly her bank account), pursuing a cure for her ailment. Yet, she continued to suffer. She had tried everything, everything but Jesus.

She likely fought a crushing crowd to see Jesus. She might have heard about his previous miracles. Who knows?  No matter what drove her to reach out to Christ that day, she believed if she could simply touch the edge of His clothing she would be healed. It is on that belief that she joined the multitudes surrounding Jesus.

I love verse 44, where she reaches out and touches the fringe on Jesus’ robe and immediately the blood that had flowed for twelve constant years dries up and she is healed.

Immediately. Oh we serve a wonderful Savior!

What happens next makes me laugh. Jesus asks, “Who touched me?”

Jesus already knew the woman who had touched Him. He knew her as intimately as He knows you and me. I think he asked who touched him in order to share publicly what had transpired in secret. His disciples respond in puzzlement.  They likely scanned the throngs of people surrounding them scratching their heads. “Many people are touching you,” they said.

Many people were touching Jesus, but only one reached out with intention. Only one reached out in faith. This was the touch Jesus acknowledged. Every time a person reaches out to Jesus in faith he acknowledges the action. Every time.

She comes before Him trembling, falling at His feet and thanking him for her cure. She openly declares that one touch had cured what twelve years of doctors could not. By recognizing her publicly Jesus declares that this unclean woman was now clean. He was not limited or intimated by the Old Testament laws prohibiting this touch.  He touched her and allowed her to go, healed, whole and clean.

Ladies, where are you? Have you reached out with intent? Do you stretch out your arm yearning for close and personal contact with Jesus? Or are you in the surging crowd, excited to be close to Him but carrying no real desire to connect on an intimate level?

Jesus response shows us that he desires more from his daughters than a general knowledge of His capabilities. He wants to draw us out from the concealing crowd. He wants us to stand before Him and say, “I believe.”  He wants us to know Him, intimately and completely.  He wants to look upon us with tenderness, call us HIS daughter, and whisper those precious words: Your faith has made you well.

My Psalm of Redemption

by Stacey | Jun 20, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement

Lord, I cry from the darkest and deepest place of my heart and I know you hear. My legs collapse under me when I consider the weight of my sin. I am not worthy to stand in your presence.

Yet, your forgiveness lifts me. You support me so I can stand.

I wait for tomorrow in anticipation. I watch for you, listen for your voice, eager for your plentiful redemption. You have redeemed me from darkness and brought me into the light. Thank you Lord.

When the Lemons are Dry

by Stacey | May 9, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement

As I write today’s post I can’t help but wonder if later today, my optimistic spirit will be crushed. You see, I am a “glass is half full” kind of girl. I always have been. But later today I will pitch my book to the publishing house I prefer. This project of five years in the making has been a source of great joy, huge frustration, and character shaping opportunities.

My stomach dances as I wait for 1:00 pm. The time of day I am scheduled to speak with my editor. The time of day that I will learn if all my work, prayers, and hopes will come to fruition.

Of course, I hope the editor will want to see the whole book, or at least ask for a proposal or synopsis  Anything but the feared – thanks, but no thanks. But if I hear those dreaded words will this optimistic girl make lemonade from the shriveled dream?

Right now, I honestly don’t know. I hope so. I pray so. But the butterflies remind me of how important this is to me. How much I have invested.

How about you? How do you respond when the answer is no? Not maybe, or perhaps – giving you a thread of hope to cling to. How do you respond to a flat-out NO? How do you handle the crushing disappointment?

I’m trying to prepare. I’m trying to prepare my heart for the great possibility this publishing house might not be interested in my work. I’m trying to prepare myself for the reality that we don’t all accomplish our dreams, that sometimes those dreams serve a greater purpose. I’m trying to dwell on all the things that God has already taught me through the delays thus far and accept that maybe, just maybe, He would be better glorified in my failure than success.

It’s not easy.

But the truth is, that’s why I’m here. I’d like to think my great purpose in life is more about me and my goals, but it’s not. More than being a writer, more than being a “success” (as I define the word), I am here to bring glory to God. That is my purpose. That is YOUR purpose too.

I hope I might accomplish this purpose through publishing novels that direct people toward Him and unashamedly proclaim His name. And there is nothing wrong with this dream or the desire. And there is nothing wrong with continuing to try if this pitch doesn’t work out. But first and foremost, I am here to glorify Him in both success and failure.

So now, as I hope for victory but prepare for disappointment, may my response glorify His name.  If I can do that, then a dried-up, sour experience will make the most sweet tasting lemonade.

UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday, and pitched yesterday afternoon. The publishing house has asked for a full proposal from me – which excites me beyond belief!