It is not the pity I wanted. The pity would get me nowhere. It was the money I was looking for. It was the money I expected.
I was used to being there, day after day and week after week. I knew my place. It’s not like I was going to get up and walk elsewhere. Everyone knew that my condition would prevent that. It was that very condition that left me at that same location. Sitting, waiting, hoping and to some extent expecting.
When I say to some extent, there were certain things I definitely expected. Those officials who would go into that place that I couldn’t enter would pass me like I wasn’t there or like I was something they would wipe off their sandals. Having said that, at least that reaction acknowledged my presence. It is still tough being completely ignored by people who make big claims about God.
There were some I would expect something from. Some kindly gentlemen would always pass and drop something my way. Just enough to get by. Not too much more than that. That’s about as much as I could expect. If they gave me the time of day to interact with me, sometimes that would be as good as the money.
The commotion surrounding these two was still the talk of the city, but as they came up to me that afternoon, all I was expecting was to get some money. I wasn’t expecting too much, they don’t dress as though they’re that rich. It would be good to get something though, and with them taking the time to stop by me, that meant at least they would give me the time of day. Maybe something a little more.
What they did to me, though, was far better than expected.
“Look at us.” said one of them.
I will never forget what happened next. They said they didn’t have money but would give me back what I needed. They told me to walk. I didn’t even have time to laugh at the idea when one of them looked to help me on my feet and for the first time in my life, a sensation ran down my legs. Even now I can’t stop sobbing at the sheer wonder of even feeling there when I never thought I could ever feel there – ever.
What a feeling! What an amazing feeling! They told me that I went around about leaping for joy – and you would too at this incredible miracle.
Some of the same people who had ignored me now looked at me with wonder and amazement. I had no time for them, though, I was just taken with what had happened. To find out how it happened and who was responsible was even more exhilarating. To know that this was available to those who believed in the name of Jesus the Messiah.
It made me want to look out for others in a similar condition to myself. I wanted them to experience something that would be better than expected.
(Photo by Taylor Ann Wright on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 