One Touch

Bus stories come to my mind over and over through the week and this one was a good one. If you have been reading my blog for long, you will remember Ciara. She is my 8 year old who got saved and baptized along with her mother recently. I called her "Miss Manipulator" as I was trying to point out to her that it was a sin to act in a sweet way just to get something. I think that we have corrected some of that behaviour. The last few weeks I have tried to be lovingly firm with her and give her an opportunity to obey me. You know, my mom used to tell me that my oldest child was good because I always gave him what he wanted. That really wasn't the truth but I do realize that I try my best to step around and issue and avoid conflict. So, I have tried not to do that with Ciara. She knows I love her and I think that is the most important thing before making demands.

She ended up beside me at some point in the ride to church. It wasn't long until I had to go to the back of the bus to make some corrections and then I had to stand up and lead the singing. So there she was right there on the front seat staring up at me. I can not remember who it was or why I wanted someone on the front seat but I asked Ciara to scoot over and let this person sit with her. She refused. I said "Ciara, remember, you must obey. This is what Jesus wants you to do." She still refused and I admonished her again. Soon enough, she gave in and scooted over. I was so busy that I barely complimented her about it.

In the afternoon, I remembered to give a few well-deserved praises to several children who had obviously done well in Junior church and on the bus. Ciara was standing in the aisle and she said, "Mrs. Cozart, I have been thinking about that this week. Sometimes when I don't get my way I throw fits and kick my feet, but when I was doing that this week I thought that Jesus would not be happy." I assured her that was right and that all she needed to do was tell Him she was sorry and she would be right back in fellowship with Him once again. I explained that she was still a baby christian and it took some growing up before she would be able to correct those problems.

Soon enough, I heard my name again. It was Ciara. She said "Mrs. Cozart, I heard something in my class today!' I questioned her further and she began to tell me the story that some Sunday School teacher had so diligently studied and told in a very memorable way. The story had been about the healing of the "death and dumb boy"! LOL I had to correct her and explain that deaf meant that he could not hear. But, do you know what stuck out in her mind more than anything else? This teacher had explained that Jesus healed that boy with just ONE TOUCH! Ciara looked at me with wondering eyes. "How did He do that with just one touch?" she asked. "Why, Ciara, Jesus is God and He has ALL POWER!"

Yes, Ciara, there is a God. His name is Jesus and He has ALL POWER. And if the touch you received was truly from Him, there is healing power in that touch---for the body, mind and soul!!!