The Bleeding Woman {guest post}

We welcome Jenifer Shultz as our guest today. I have known Jennifer for many years through the HelloMornings ministry, and if there is one way to describe her, it is that she shines for Jesus! I know you will be blessed by her words. —Patti

There are many women in the Bible that I can identify with as a mother, wife, and modern day gal, but I connect so hard with The Bleeding Woman that I feel like it should almost be my calling card.

If you are not familiar with The Bleeding Woman, I would understand. She is briefly mentioned in Mark 5:22-34. That is it. That is all we know of her story. She is never named.

In fact, she only makes her appearance because a man named Jairus asked Jesus to come with him and heal his daughter. As they rushed to her side, the crowd rushed along with them. She was not the daughter they were seeking to heal. Honestly, because she had a blood issue, she was considered unclean and probably should not have been in the crowd of people risking contact. But there they were, her reaching out in faith—stretched thin and just knowing if she could even get close… to just brush her fingers on the hem of his robe… she would be healed. She knew it with every fiber of her being.

That faith drove her to risk it all.

Friends, that faith is so powerful. Powerful enough that Jesus felt it. In a crowd of hundreds, pushing and shoving (picture Black Friday shopping), Jesus felt her touch the hem of his robe. He felt that power shift because of her faith, and just like that she was healed, after 12 years of suffering. He stopped everything—while a young girl, someone’s daughter, was dying. Not because he was angry, but because of her faith.

Here is where it gets personal, friend. I have been sick for 12 years. For 12 years I have been fighting to find someone to help me. For 12 years, I have seen specialists, had tests, infusions, hospital visits, alternative care… I have tried everything that we can think of, conventional and unconventional. Let me just be very honest and say being sick long term is exhausting and expensive work—physically, emotionally, and financially. You become a number, a statistic. You become nameless, just like The Bleeding Woman.

You feel the world rushing past you, hurrying along to help others and you just keep reaching for help. You want someone to stop everything and notice how hard you are trying and just how much faith it takes to get up each day and face the world. And that is really the key… FAITH.

Out of all the people in that crowd, Jesus felt the touch of The Bleeding Woman because FAITH made it different. Out of all the things she had tried for healing, FAITH made this effort different. She risked so much and it paid off because her FAITH made her bold and brave.

I long for the day when my faith allows me to feel that power and that boldness at the throne. I pray that my faith makes me different and brave. And one day, I know I will hear, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Selah.

Hi. I’m Jen—a small town, Oklahoma girl married to a superhero. Together, we are raising a family on second chances, shiplap, and a shoestring.

I am a firm believer in grace, organization, and efficiency. I find great satisfaction in taking broken items and giving them new life, likely because that is exactly what God did for me.

I over use the word shine, exclamation points, and emojis. I cheer too loud in the stands of my kids’ activities and hug more than is socially acceptable. A natural born encourager and armchair warrior, I am learning to redefine my mission field and make the most of each day I am given.

I am chronically ill and chronically positive- not necessarily in that order. I am learning to practice perseverance over perfection and long for the day I get to see my grandparents and Jesus’ face.

Until then, I am just looking for Grace in the Grind.