Daughters

This year, for Lent, I challenged myself to catch up on “The Chosen” series. When I watched episodes previously, I felt as though I got to experience Jesus and His disciples in a more personal way. There is also something very impactful about seeing a story on a page come to “life” on a screen. For me, it resonates.

As I have watched a number of episodes, it is difficult to choose a favorite. There are so many moments that pierced by heart and brought tears to my eyes.

There was one scene in an episode I watched recently, however, that really gripped me. As described in Matthew 9: 20-22, a woman who had experienced bleeding for 12 years approached Jesus with a steadfast faith. Certain that even the touch of His cloak could heal her, she did just that.

Verse 22 states, “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.”

The entire story is filled with wonder, hope, love, and encouragement, but what touched me most – perhaps even more than the miraculous and celebration-worthy healing – is that Jesus called her “daughter.” I believe, through His choice of words, Jesus reminds us that we are His children. As women, we are His daughters, fully seen and fully loved.

Sometimes, life has a way of – challenging us, to say the least. Sometimes, we can feel so very unseen. The woman who approached Jesus was an outcast, friendless, and in great despair as she had been banished by many due to her state of “uncleanness.”

But take heart, as Jesus said. He saw her. He sees you.

No matter what we encounter in life, we are never alone. The world may want us to feel this way. Satan surely does. But, Jesus? He calls us His beloved.

As we approach the end of the Lenten season and look ahead to the Glory of Easter, I invite you to listen to Jesus’ message in your heart. What is He saying to you? How is He affirming you? I pray this year, as we move from mourning the cross to rejoicing the empty tomb, we feel Jesus’ presence so very personally and wholeheartedly receive the unending love of our Heavenly Father.