I'm always amazed at how God seems to prick my attention with throw-away lines instead of the main point of a sermon. Not that I don't pay attention on Sunday mornings or get anything out of our Pastor's sermons. Sometimes the little points seem to speak out more.

Yesterday's sermon included a reference to Luke 8 and the woman with the "issue of blood." All she wanted was to touch the hem of Jesus' robe, believing this would heal her. She was right.

Pastor used this to illustrate how Jesus was so in tune with her needs that He felt even her slight touch in the crowd. This is certainly true and we need to be aware of the needs around us.

But the idea came to me that there's more to this story. The woman wanted the healing but she did not want to meet Jesus. She thought to remain hidden in the crowd. Her faith was genuine - she was healed immediately. But her focus was on the blessing and not on the one who blesses.

Lord, bless me now but don't expect me to read the Bible on a regular basis. Lord, fill my cup that I can experience Your bounty even though I don't want to share with others.

I don't think the woman was as selfish as those half-hearted prayers. She was afraid when finally face to face with Jesus. Maybe she thought she wasn't worthy, that He would take the blessing away. Fortunately for her and for us, Jesus doesn't work that way.

Jesus desired to meet this woman and begin a relationship. He waited in the crowd for her to come to Him. When she finally stepped forward Jesus spoke words of comfort, not rebuke. The same is true for us. We may desire a healing or some other blessing. God desires to give us great gifts (Matt 7:7-11) and it is not wrong for us to pray for blessings. Paul prayed three times for God to remove his "thorn in the flesh" before God answered. The answer wasn't a healing (or removal) but neither did God rebuke Paul for asking. As we desire these things we must focus on the Giver and not just on the gift. Jesus wants to meet each of us face to face.