Wisdom From John
The Young Girl
As she looked down into the pool of water, the face that looked back at her seemed strange and out of place. All that she could think of was, "Why Lord…why?"
She had once been the joy of her parents and always greeted by those who lived in their small village, but then the first signs of the disease appeared. At first she denied what was happening to her, this could not be happening to her, but it was. As the weeks turned into months, there came the day when she could no longer deny the disease. Finally, the doctors spoke the word most feared and sentenced her to a life of isolation … leprosy; and all she could do was weep.
Before the disease her life was full of happy moments. Friends were always surrounding her with their laughter and talk of what life would be like when they all came of age. But now, there was only loneliness and tears. Her friends had all deserted her and moved on with their lives. They all still had laughter, had their families, and made plans for their future; she only had tears. All that was left for her was shame and rejection; none knew the pain she felt or the hurt she experienced each time she called out, "Unclean leper."
As falling tears caused ripples upon the reflection, she once again whispered the question she always asked the image looking back at her. "Why Lord…what have I done to deserve this curse?"
Slowly, she rose and walked toward the entrance of the cave where she and the other lepers lived. She was thankful for her father who faithfully left food for her and the others and, while she could only see him from a distance, she knew her father's love was true. But oh, how she longed for his touch.
Approaching the cave entrance, she saw her father's bundle. Bending down and picking up the small bundle of food, she heard her father's voice calling out to her. Almost too afraid to believe that he would risk being cast out of the village, she straightened up and turned toward his voice. "Father, is that you," she asked?
"Yes my little lamb, it is I" came her father's reply. Stepping from behind the rocks, he cautiously walked toward her. Without hesitation she called out for him to stop and not to come near her, but he walked closer. His heart ached for his precious child and, though he knew all about her disease, his love for her pulled him onward toward her.
The bundle of food dropped to the ground, spilling its contents as she lifted her hands in protest. "Stop father. Please, do not come closer," she cried. But, he only came closer; a father's love knows no fear.
Stepping backwards, she pleaded, "Please father, no closer." Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked upon his daughter, now deformed by the disease. He would have traded places with her if he could have; he would have given all his wealth to set her free, but there was nothing that could be done.
"Why have you come, father," she asked. "You know how dangerous it is for you to be near this place."
With tears streaming down his cheeks and his voice verily heard above the wind, he replied, "I just needed to hear your voice." Locked together in love, they wept.
After awhile the father sat down upon the rocks and began to share his heart. He had come to tell her the news he had heard that day while working in the fields. Some had said it had been a miracle while others laughed and called those who told the tale, it was only the wine and nothing more.
As her father went on to explain all that he knew of the incidence, she sat and watched his face. In the light of the setting sun she saw the beginning of hope light up the old man's face. If only what he was saying was true, maybe it was a miracle. But, why had it happened here in their tiny village, in the middle of nowhere?
Her father had gone and, as the day turned into night, all she could do was think about what he had told her. She had to know if the tale was true or not, so with determination in her heart she started out to see for herself. Her destination was not far from the leper's cave, she had played there as a child and knew the place well. By the time she arrived, it was totally dark but the sounds and smell greeted her like an old friend.
The animal pen belonged to the inn keeper and was connected to a small stable. From the stable, came a dim light and she saw a small group gathered around the entrance. Not wanting to announce her presence, she kept her distance from the group and moved around in the shadows trying to see into the stable.
"Woman, what do you want?" demanded a voice coming from behind her. Her heart leap into her throat and fear made her start to run but a strong, calloused hand reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Please sir, let me go. I am a leper and you must not touch me," she whispered, still trying not to be discovered by the group that was now turning and looking in their direction. Afraid to look up, she stood with bowed head awaiting her fate. But, to her surprise the man did not let go, he only said, "Come, you are welcomed here."
As the pair approached the entrance to the stable, the group that had been watching moved away and she could see within the stable. There before her was a young mother holding her new born child and while she wanted to go closer, she quietly pleaded with the man to release her. She was a leper and should not be this close to others. The man, who held her, only took her closer to the mother and child.
As they approached, the new born child stirred and the mother tried to calm her child but, the child was insistent and would not hold still. As the mother lifted the blanket that covered the baby's face, the baby turned toward the leper; a small hand came out from beneath the covers and flailed in the night air. The young leper could not move for she was held in place by the eyes of the child, dark eyes that seemed to search her soul.
The man who held her arm, took her hand, a hand deformed by leprosy, and extended it toward the baby's out reached hand. As if the baby understood what to do next, the baby opened its hand and took hold of her finger.
In that instant when the two touched, it was as if she had touched fire. A strange and wonderful sensation filled her body, her knees went weak and she fell before the mother and child, tears falling like raindrops. Sobbing, with a grateful heart, she could only whisper, "Thank you my Lord … thank you."
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)
When we come to Jesus he does not care where we have been or what we look like, he only sees our heart and, if our hearts are sincere, his touch is a healing touch that takes away all of our sins.
Merry Christmas
