"She came up behind him and touched his cloak and immediately the bleeding stopped." Luke 8:44 (NIV)

Having three children in five years just about did me in. There was no such thing as a routine, as much as I tried to implement one. Just when I thought I had one behavior issue figured out, another one popped up. Parenting books were somewhat helpful, but they didn't address how to manage three kids, with three unique personalities, at once. What worked for one didn't work for another. I was drowning and desperate.

I tried many ways and different means of trying to figure them out, until I decided not to try anymore, to just let God lead me in the direction to go concerning each one of them. Once I touched base with Him, that is when things began to level out for me and the days seemed to get much easier and I was able to manage the three in three different ways. But this did not happen until I became 'desperate' enough to realize I could not handle it on my own and do it my own way or the way a book suggested me to do it.  Thank You Jesus!!!

Thousands of years ago there was another woman who was just desperate enough to get help. She had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her. But when Jesus came to her neighborhood, she was ready to try anything. I imagine she was embarr assed, and weakened because of her bleeding. She must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus.

The Bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day. Yet somehow, this determined woman navigated her way through the rush of humanity to touch the cloak of Jesus, and the Bible tells us she was healed immediately. In spite of the people pressing around Jesus, He knew someone had touched Him. As He stopped, the people stumbled into each other, turning their heads to determine what happened. In a gentle voice, Jesus asked, "Who touched me?"

After everyone denied they had touched Jesus, the woman came trembling before Him. She told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus and how He had healed her. Jesus then said to the women, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Desperation causes people to do different things. Some people make wrong choices, believing their backs are against a wall. Some people go into hi ding, hoping a problem will go away. Yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help. Sometimes God uses other people to help us, and sometime He is the only One who has the answers.

In the difficult times we face, many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation. It is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating you, it motivates you to seek help. Whether God Himself provides your deliverance, or He uses someone else, trust He already has a plan to help.

Dear Heavenly Father, Only You know the desperation I feel right now. Only You see the troubles that weigh me down. I confess that I don't have the strength or wisdom to find an answer. However, I trust that You are already planning my deliverance. I trust in Your perfect timing. Please show me what to do next, and direct me to the source of help. In Jesus' Name, Amen.