There was a certain woman who had suffered for many years with an issue of blood. She had sought the help of doctors, faith healers, and anointed prayer cloths for years only to be left penniless and no better off. Then she had heard that Pastor Joe Supersmile of Galaxyshakers Church was in town promoting his new book, "God Is An ATM and I Have Your Pin Number." She went to the local Barnes and Noble but the throng of adoring fans was so thick. She pressed through thinking, "if I can just touch the hem of his skinny jeans"I know I will be delivered."
As Supersmile rose to leave, the woman crawled faster and faster towards him in her desperation and faith. She reached out at the last second and her hand grazed the laces of his left shoe and then" something amazing happened. No, she was not healed. The pastor stopped and asked, "who touched my shoe?" His handlers all stood in amazement and said, Mr. Supersmile, you see how many people are here. How can we possibly know? At that moment, the woman settled at his feet and admitted it was her.
He looked down at her and said, "my child, healing is not free. The Bible says that a workman is worth his wages. That will be $29.99."
"But I do not have it sir. For I have spent all my life savings chasing a healing that never comes and I thought if I could just touch the hem of your jeans that I would finally be healed."
"Dear woman, do you not realize that it is always God's will to heal. Therefore if your illness persists it must be your fault. You need just the faith of a mustard seed but you must not have any. Or your sins are too great. Either way, you owe me $29.99."
Her cries echoed in the Barnes and Noble that day as she was taken away to debtors prison. Pastor Supersmile went on his way because there were more books to sign in the name of the Lord. Not to mention his keynote address that evening at the Christian Leadership and Pastorpreneur Conference where he had a gripping sermon ready to go on the subject of mercy.
Hallelujah"pass the offering plate.
