Last week I shared a few thoughts about our visits to see our friend “Miss Barb” at the nursing home.  I’d like to share another story today.  It touched me as she shared these thoughts, her words more profound than any response of mine.

She related to me a Bible story about Jesus walking down a road, where a sick woman sat along the way.  The woman could not walk; she couldn’t get up off the ground.  But she called out for Jesus to heal her.  Jesus walked over to her. He reached out and told her to stand up.  She did!   Her legs were healed.   Told by a woman in a wheelchair, this story has added poignancy.

“Miss Barb” thought about the story a bit longer.  Quietly she said I wish I lived back then when Jesus was here.  Maybe he would have healed my legs too. Looking down at her lap, she sighed.  But, he didn’t heal my legs.  I could see the wistful look in her eyes.  If only I had been there, maybe he would have healed me.

All my good theology about Jesus walking each step of the way with us, well it began to melt away.  Her legs were not healed.  Jesus had not done that for her and likely would not.  I can only love her and return often to offer assurance of Jesus great love for her.

Thanks be to God for the privilege of a friendship with “Miss Barb.”

Judy