Talitha Koum
Talitha Koum
By: Hillary J Murphy
Alone in a sea of familiar faces, the walls around her heart kept her comfortable.
Engaging enough to avoid questions, but guarded enough to keep her bruised and tattered heart “safe”.
Safe…she thought as she smiled and moved about the room.
Safe so that no one could touch her heart again. Yes, safe.
And yet her heart ached from behind it’s walls still holding on to the dream it was created for - connection.
To be seen.
To be known fully and still chosen – accepted as she is and not for who she’s reflected on the other side of those walls.
The walls she built brick by brick with each unkind word spoken and the subsequent looks of disappointment as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
Bricks formed and fired – strengthened with each lie she unknowingly locked arms with along the way.
Could her heart ever find freedom from this self-contained prison?
Could it brave the wilds of fellowship and connection in it’s vulnerable state?
Would she one day experience the life of love she saw on full display just on the other side of those walls?
“I see you.”
She heard His whisper over the drone of her cyclical thoughts. It cut through like a hot blade touching butter.
She looked around to see who spoke those words but saw no one who they seemed to belong to.
“I know you.”
She heard His whisper again turning on her heels to look once more. Those words enveloping her like a cloak. Warm and comforting. She closed her eyes allowing herself to feel those words. Words that seemed to settle deep into her guarded heart.
“I chose you.”
And with those words she drew her last breath. Eyes closed in surrender.
He came – the voice behind the whispers. Looking upon her lifeless form clothed in tattered rags of deeds both good and bad. She laid there, still, no longer pacing – watching - standing guard.
With one motion He pulled her out of the pit and laid her upon the altar.
The “YES” spoken by her heart was all it took for her rescue.
With eyes of fire and tender love He gazed upon her face and spoke the words –
“Talitha Koum”
Instantly she drew her first breath of new life and was now clothed in radiant robes and adorned with a crown of glory. She opened her eyes and saw for the very first time life itself in His eyes. His hair was the purest white, like the freshly fallen snow.
And when He spoke her name it was as if her name was created to be spoken by His lip. It sounded like her favorite sound in the world…His voice. She was created to hear His voice…to recognize it and know it. To know Him.
His gaze never left her and she quickly realized He was the one who spoke those whispered words. He smiled as the recognition swept across her face. His smile, an expression so permeated with love it took her breath away. And in that moment she felt her walls come down.
He drew her to the mirror that once held so much power over her and began to speak words of love and identity. Each seed sinking deep into the soil of her heart as old chains of bondage simultaneously fell to the ground.
Her heart open and exposed for the first time in years, was soaking in the liquid love His presence was pouring out. Filled to the point of overflowing with no fears of running dry. Streams of gold flowing outward seeking others who need His touch.
Holding His hand, she followed Him into the room full of familiar faces. Into fellowship and community.
“Let go my Child…I’ll protect you.” He whispered gently into her ear sending courage into her very core.
As they all turned to her with eyes of love, much like His. Arms open and welcoming, she thought to herself…
This is love.
This is freedom.
This she…is me.
#writingintheglory #freedom #identity #fellowship #community #hearthealing
