Extended Mercy

Sometimes we need help and don't know where to go for it..

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

Jesus set out to help the man whose daughter had just died, but along the way, he wound up helping the woman who reached out to touch him.

Yesterday, I mentioned the young woman who needed food, but she didn't come to get it.  I wound up thinking about her all morning.

I decided to call the woman from NY Contact Tracing to find out what had happened, but as it turned out, the woman contacted me.

She let me know the young woman had been in a battle with her mom and wound up taking medication that made it impossible to come the day before, but she could come and get food today.

I was suddenly filled with joy, knowing I could help her.

I prepared a package for her and waited for her call.  

There is so much we don't know about the people we help, and this was a case where we knew even less.  When social workers or counselors call for their client, we only know what they are comfortable sharing, and often we hear that the case is very complicated.

The young woman walked to our building and called from across the street.  I went out to meet her and hand her a bag.  I told her to call again if she needed more, and we would prepare it for her.

She was so timid and young.

There are so many people suffering and alone, looking for help wherever they can get it, like the woman who came to Jesus and touched his cloak.

Luckily, there are others who seek to find them help.

My job was easy.  All I had to do was prepare a bag and hand it to someone in need.

The true helpers are those who take it on themselves to seek the help that is needed.  They don't rest until they make the situation better.

I received a text later telling me the young woman will be getting help, a place to stay, counselors to work with her, and people to help her find work.

What they cannot do is provide food.

I guess that is what we can do.

More to come...