Today’s Daily Bread ~ Big Boy Bed

Luke 8:43-44 – And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years.  She had spent everything she had on doctors and still could find no cure.  She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His robe.  Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

I am very excited to tell you that we are now a crib free house.  Last Sunday, I took the kids to my parents’ house in Keller for the afternoon while Mike and my mother-in-law put Nick’s new bedroom together.  He now has his Big Boy Bed and dresser, complete with a “Cars” themed bedspread.  You’ve never seen a little boy so excited as my Nick.

My son is just a shade over three and a half.  He was not particularly eager to leave his crib.  Granted, it was a converter, so it was actually a “toddler bed,” but he had not asked us for a new one.  When we brought it up, we were met with indifference.  So we decided to take the new bed project upon ourselves, lest he be a high school senior in that converted crib.

Mike and I deliberately take our time with the children at bedtime.  We’ve found this is a great time to get them talking about their day, and anything that might be on their little minds.  I’ll climb into Caitlyn’s bed, hold her in my arms and just listen.  Then we say our prayers, and Mike and I switch.  He’ll say goodnight to Caitlyn while I head to Nick’s room.

With Nick it hasn’t been the same bonding experience.  I sit on the floor by his bed and ask him questions.  Then it’s prayers, one last sip of water, and a kiss goodnight.  Sunday night, that changed.

I climbed into bed and under the covers.  I pulled him close, breathing in the sweet scent of his shampoo.  I kissed his chubby cheek and held his plump little hand.  “What was the best part of your day, Nicky?”  We had the most precious conversation.

It struck me as I left his room what a barrier that crib had been.  It put a physical wall me and my son.  Once we removed it, I was free to get closer, emotionally as well as physically.

I wonder…do I have any cribs in my life?  What barriers might there be between you and Jesus?

In the 8^th chapter of Luke, verses 43 through 48, we learn about a woman with a physical barrier.  The original language indicates that this woman’s hemorrhage was a menstrual problem.  According to Jewish law, this made her ceremoniously unclean.  Men were instructed not touch her, nor anything she had touched during this time, and for seven days after.  This woman had possibly been isolated for twelve years.

Luke 8:45-47a – “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.  Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”  But Jesus told him, “No someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”  When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble, and fell to her knees before Him.

This woman knew what she’d done.  She’d defiled the Messiah.  In the eyes of the crowd, it was a detestable thing.  I wonder if Jesus looked right at her as He said those words.  Notice, the woman didn’t attempt to deny it or flee.  In my colorful imagination, I picture Him seeing through her eyes into her soul.  And it brought the woman to her knees.

Luke 8:47b – The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched Him and that she had been immediately healed. 

The whole crowd watched and listened to her humiliation.  Her secret.  Her shame.  Imagine the people leaning in with eager anticipation to see what Jesus would do.  Would He yell?  Would He demand she be turned over to the Pharisees?  Would He banish her from the community? 

Luke 8:48 – “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well.  Go in peace.”

Jesus called her daughter.  He praised her faith.  He released her to go in peace.  How I wish we could hear the tone of His voice, see the look in His eyes.  I imagine the woman nearly skipped as she ran back to tell her family what the Rabboni had done.

Jesus came to tear down walls, to shatter the barriers that keep us from living in the fullness of joy.  What is keeping you from living the abundant life?  Insecurity?  Anxiety?  Financial fear?  Busyness?  Perhaps it’s an unhealthy habit or an addiction.  Jesus is beckoning you.  He is able to demolish those strongholds.  He is waiting to hold you close and set you free.  What are you waiting for?

Matthew 11:28 – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Dear Jesus, I have no words.  How do we say “thank you” for taking on the sins of the world?  How do we say “thank you” for Your spilled blood?  How do we say “thank you” for the completed word of the cross?  Thank You for releasing us from bondage of sin.  Thank You for breaking those chains.  Convict us when we cling to them!  Show us a better way, Jesus.  Free us for joyful obedience.  Please change our hearts, so we can love what You love and hate what You hate.  Help us delight in You!  Help us to lead others to You.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  Set our feet on the right path.  Give us wisdom and discernment, that we might know when something is not of You.  We love You so much, Jesus.  We pray these things in a spirit of victory, knowing that our prayers are heard when we pray in line with the Father’s will.  We ask these things in Your precious, holy name.  Amen.