One tear trickled down her cheek although she tried not to cry. People surrounded her, though she was ultimately alone. All these ‘acquaintances’ knew her name, but no one knew her heart. The pain in her heart was an old one which had weighed her down to the point she could hardly look up. Her doctors would say her tears where made up of sodium, potassium and a litany of other enzymes and by-products.

But, oh, one tear held much more than that.

One tear told her story if anyone had cared to look. One tear held the heartache of loss, a whisper of what could have been. One tear held her loved ones close, the hugs of a child and parent, the love of a sister and brother. One tear held all her hopes of ever being well. What was the point of going on in pain and agony.

But if she could get near enough …if she could just touch the hem …

And one tear fell.

One tear of joy and healing. She had touched the Master’s garment and was healed. But Jesus wanted to know who had touched Him. He already knew, of course, but He wanted everyone to know of this woman’s faith.

He wanted them to know what had happened when one tear fell.