Friday, October 17, 2008

FICTION FRIDAY...Healing Rain

Well, it's Friday again. And although my intention was to blog a couple of times this week, it didn't happen. BUT...I AM here for Fiction Friday! This week, I'm posting something a little different - a biblical fiction story. I just want to mention that although the rain here is literal, it also represents faith.

If you'd like to join in on the fun with Fiction Friday, visit Dee Yoder's blog, My Heart's Dee-Light. Dee is hosting this week!


Healing Rain

The woman didn't realize it, but a rain cloud was hovering even before she left home that morning.

That she didn't notice had nothing to do with the fact that she was inside of her house. It had everything to do with the fact that at the moment, her mind wasn't focused on the drizzle. Instead, she was wonderfully distracted by the idea that today might just be the day. The day she had waited for, for twelve years!

No, she told herself, not 'might' be the day. Today would be the day; she was certain of it.

She prepared herself to go out - physically and mentally. It took a lot of energy to show her face in public. She was considered unclean and people tended to steer clear of her when she went to town. But she would risk the harsh comments and ridicule and disgusted looks from the townsfolk. Anything she had to endure would be worth being made well again.

Her hope and her faith rose significantly and it began to sprinkle.

***

She saw the hoards of people and her heart leapt. She knew the man who called himself the Son of God had to be at the front of the crowd, although seeing Him was impossible - she was too short to see over the grown men's heads.

I need to touch Him - if only the hem of His garment, she thought to herself, then merged with the thronging crowd, pressing forward with all her might.

And the rain came down a little harder.

***

It seemed like hours had passed. She was tired and sweating and weak but she refused to give up. She had to get to this man they called Jesus. She had heard that He healed hundreds already, most who were worse off than she was. The blind, deaf, lame, even lepers were miraculously cured. Surely He would heal her! She didn't have any more money for doctors. This was her one last hope! She fell to her knees and inched forward, ignoring the pain of her scraped and bleeding knees and her sore and aching hands as they were stepped on again and again.

As the woman neared Jesus, the rain grew stronger, a steady flow of water from heaven.

***

She saw His sandals first, and then His robe. She concentrated on the hem, reaching her arm out as far as she possibly could to touch it. Dozens of legs and feet got in her way but she pushed and struggled around them until she finally drew close enough.

Slowly, she stretched her hand out and felt the fabric brush against her fingertips.And the windows of heaven burst open and it poured. The rain came down in torrents and soaked her, washing away the dirt and the grime and the blood. The water cleansed her and made her whole.

And she was healed.

***

The woman went away in peace, lifting her face to the sky, letting the rain continue to pour over her. And she rejoiced and praised the One who had made her well.

"And He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well.'" Mark 5:34

*Based on Mark 5:25-34

6 comments:

Dee Yoder said...

Wow! This is awesome, Lynda. I love the connection between the rain coming down in spatters and then pouring in relation to her faith. What an allegory. It's a new story for me and it is wonderful!

Joanne Sher said...

Beautiful, Lynda. I love how you used the rain symbolically and literally. You brought this story to life.

Julie Arduini said...

This is one of my favorite stories. Last year at my blog the DiCianni family graciously allowed me to use a picture Ron DiCianni used for Assemblies of God about healing. Your story is exactly how I picture...that picture!

Amazing Lynda, amazing work.

LauraLee Shaw said...

GORGEOUS! Wowzer. I am so moved by this picture.

Betsy Markman said...

Wow, you had me so "in the scene." I had never pictured her actually down on her hands and knees fighting her way through a sea of legs, getting her hands stepped on...and yet it makes perfect sense, since she touched his hem. Wow again. Thanks for giving that story a whole new life for me.

Patty Wysong said...

Wonderful, lynda! So good! I loved how you wove the rain in!
Huggles!