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Just One Touch
Just One Touch
Just One Touch
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Just One Touch

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• What might this woman’s life have been like prior to her years of suffering from this ailment? • What would she have endured during the years of her infirmity? • How would she have felt as she forced her way through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment? • How might her life have been affected afterwards? Meet Sapira, a woman of striking beauty from humble beginnings. She emerges by means of marriage to a life of luxury. After many unfortunate events, Sapira loses everything—her family, her place in the community, her wealth, and her health—until the day she pushes forward to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 25, 2013
ISBN9781620201763
Just One Touch

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    Just One Touch - Cynthia Conner Goyang

    JUST ONE TOUCH

    This is a fictional work. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental.

    © 2013 by Cynthia Conner Goyang

    All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

    ISBN: 978-1-62020-124-4

    eISBN: 978-1-62020-176-3

    Cover design and typesetting: Matthew Mulder

    E-book conversion: Anna Riebe

    AMBASSADOR INTERNATIONAL

    Emerald House

    427 Wade Hampton Blvd.

    Greenville, SC 29609, USA

    www.ambassador-international.com

    AMBASSADOR BOOKS

    The Mount

    2 Woodstock Link

    Belfast, BT6 8DD, Northern Ireland, UK

    www.ambassadormedia.co.uk

    The colophon is a trademark of Ambassador

    This book is dedicated to all those who are lonely, broken hearted, isolated, ill, rejected, made fun of and scorned. Be at peace. The Lord God is with you, even in the midst of your extreme adversity. He is ever present with you. He loves you immensely and He will help you. Of this, you can be sure.

    Acknowledgements:

    With extreme gratitude and appreciation, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have indeed done as you promised Lord. You have restored the years that the cankerworm has eaten away, given me joy for tears and beauty for ashes. I love you! Thank You Lord!

    To my precious husband Tony. You are a strong and steadfast man of God. My dear one. I love you and (after all these years) I am still in love with you. Thank you for your constant support.

    To my sons Tony Jr., Cliff, and Aaron. With joy I’ve watched each of my rambunctious boys grow to be wonderful, kind-hearted, integrity filled gentle men. Tony Jr. and (wife) Kellie, Cliff and (wife) Edna, and Aaron thank you for your prayers, friendship and support.

    Myra, Monica and Desiree, I’m so proud to be your grandma, you put a smile on my face every day my lovely beauties. Thank you for your being such sweet girls.

    To my sisters Sandra, Athie and Yvonne and my brothers Byron, Reggie, Glenn and Randy, thank you all so much for your prayers, love, friendship and support. I love you all!

    To my dear friend Bobbie Moore of Midland, Texas. You have been more than a friend to me Bobbie you have been a true sister. Thank you Bobbie for your prayers, words of wisdom and support.

    To my precious Pastor and his wife, Roy and Carla Smith of True Lite Christian Fellowship, Midland, Texas. You have caused me to grow and have been a sweet steadfast support to me. Thank you for the blessing and the help that you are to me!

    To Sam Lowry, Tim Lowry, Brenda Covert, Matthew Mulder, and the entire staff at Ambassador International, your Godly kindness, help and prompt professionalism has been a lovely, lovely blessing to me. Thank you!

    To Dr. Leslie Williams, thank you for taking time to read my manuscript and for giving me confidence to go forward toward publication with the encouraging emails that followed.

    To many others who have been a wonderful blessing to me. Thank you: Pastor John and Becky Connor, Glenpool, Oklahoma. the late JoyLea Parrish, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pastor Dan and Grace Schiel, Conroe, Texas. Church family at Midland Christian Fellowship. Staff at the Midland County Public Library, Midland College and the Midland County Elections Office. To the wonderful people of the City of Midland, Texas, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

    Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes? But His disciples said to Him, You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched me?’ and He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.

    MARK 5:25-34, NKJV

    Table of Contents

    Title Page

    Copyright

    Dedication

    Acknowledgements

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 10 - REILLA

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 18

    Chapter 19

    Chapter 20

    Chapter 21

    Chapter 22

    Epilogue

    Author's Note

    Bibliography

    Contact Information

    CHAPTER 1

    A CHILLY RAIN HAD BEGUN to fall lightly upon the potter’s field. Joed made haste. With his shovel, he muscled the topsoil aside. The rain added the needed moisture, so Joed removed his sandals. With his bare feet, he tramped the rain-moistened clay into a fine mix. Ahh, thought Joed, this will do well. Scooping the heavy mess onto his cart, he hurriedly covered it to protect its consistency. Then he tossed his sandals on top.

    Tsk-tsk. Come along, my fellow. Joed led his donkey away just as the rain began to fall in earnest. Together they quickly made their way home. Joed unloaded the clay and placed it beneath the canopy to cure. After feeding and settling the donkey in for the evening, Joed hastened his steps in order to beat the coming downpour. He looked forward to sharing the evening meal with his daughter Sapira, the only child born to him by his beloved wife Sofia, who had died in childbirth.

    The aroma of vegetable stew and baked bread engulfed Joed as he cracked the door and peered in. He opened his eyes widely, breathed in, and smiled, for there was Sapira smiling back at him with her hands upon her hips.

    When he opened the door fully, Sapira cried out with laughter, Father, oh Father!

    Joed glanced down. It was then that he noticed the mud splattered on his garments, his arms, his legs, and his feet. He touched his face.

    Yes, Father, it is there too, giggled Sapira. Joed threw his head back and joined in his daughter’s laughter.

    While Sapira made the table ready, Joed stepped behind the partition and washed himself clean. One large room, divided, made up their dwelling. Garments and sleeping mats, pots and utensils hung out of the way along the wall when not in use. Foodstuff also crowded the floor. Vessels of water, milk, and olive oil sat close by containers bearing eggs, grapes, wheat, and figs. On the rafters, just above their heads, hung bundles of garlic, onions, herbs, and raisins. From a large iron brazier situated on one side of the room, Sapira prepared their meals.

    Come, Father. Your meal awaits you. Sapira set a large brimming bowl of stew on the table along with freshly baked bread.

    We give thanks to You, O God Almighty, prayed Joed, for you have indeed blessed us in your abundance.

    Sapira studied her father as he ate. He cocked his head sideways and peered back at her. What is it, daughter? Why do you stare at me so?

    It is the widows, Father. The widows in the village look longingly after you. Have you not noticed? At the marketplace, they whisper amongst themselves that you have need of a wife. Am I to blame, Father? Do I stand in the way of your marrying again?

    It is not I, Daughter, but you who are of marriageable age. I am afraid perhaps that my great meddling has sent all your suitors scampering like frightened rabbits.

    Not so, Father. I would have none of them. The whole lot of them are uncouth and unbathed, Sapira said, laughing.

    Still, we must find you a suitable husband, Sapira. Your mother would want it to be so. As for those widows, said Joed, crossing his arms, humph! When we visit the marketplace tomorrow, I will exact from them such lofty prices for my pottery that they will all grumble and say, ‘Who would want to marry such a cranky old goat as he.’ Joed chuckled and slapped his knees.

    Oh, Father. Sapira lowered her head and covered her mouth in order to conceal her laughter. They completed their evening meal, and in the last embers of the glowing candles, they busied themselves setting apart the fine pottery for their morning trip to the marketplace.

    * * *

    The eastern sky waxed resplendent with the morning sun. Sounds and scents of the marketplace permeated the air. Traders bustled about, setting up their wares, and then shouted their come-hithers to all passersby. The shrill haggling of the villagers’ voices intermingled with the tinkling exchange of coins. Buyers and traders alike smiled smugly to themselves (after all was said and done), both proud of their marketplace prowess.

    Satisfied that her father had everything well in hand, Sapira slipped away from the potter’s booth for a moment’s visit with the other maidens. She covered her arms and quickened her pace to protect against a sudden chill breeze that had blown in from the Sea of Galilee.

    The villagers greeted Sapira with admiring glances and hearty hellos. With a bright smile, Sapira returned their greetings as she passed through the crowded marketplace.

    Deborah and Anka spotted Sapira and welcomed her with a warm embrace.

    You both look so lovely.

    Deborah spoke up. "You silly goose, every eye at the marketplace is upon you."

    Sapira shrugged off Deborah’s comment. She grabbed their hands. I’ve missed you both. Many days have passed since Father and I have been to the marketplace.

    God is gracious to us, for now we see each other once again, said Anka shyly.

    Well spoken, Anka; it is true, replied Sapira.

    The girls huddled together on a patch of grass to block out the stiff breeze.

    Deborah touched Anka’s hand. Tell Sapira of your news, Anka.

    What news? Sapira said.

    Anka looked up through her lashes at Sapira. She smiled.. I have been betrothed to Perez.

    Anka, how wonderful! Sapira replied. He is quite handsome and a very good, kind man. God has looked upon both of you favorably.

    And God will give them seven strapping sons, Deborah added with laughter.

    Shush, Deborah, said Sapira.. They haven’t yet celebrated their wedding day, and you have already given names to their children.

    Anka blushed and giggled at the girls’ banter.

    * * *

    Sapira stood and wrapped her shawl firmly around her head and shoulders to protect herself from the strong wind. Deborah and Anka followed suit.

    What of you, Sapira? Deborah asked. When will we celebrate your wedding day?

    Sapira shrugged. That is the very question that Father asks of me, Deborah. He is anxious to find a suitable husband for me. Perhaps Father fears that his only daughter will become an old maid.

    Never, Sapira, Anka said solemnly.

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