A Modern Retelling of the Healing of the Paralyzed Man
Everyone in Marla's life had an expiration date.
It was cold outside. The winter air had the feel of impending snow. In her little apartment, Marla was barely hanging on. She was thin, a face that no longer glowed, hair unkept. She was a complete drug addict.
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She silently cried for help. -- Image by Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
Her family tried to help, but it didn't work. They tried. Eventually, they disappeared from her life. Good friends tried to get her to rehab, but she often refused. They too became distant. They all had simply expired from her life.
By the time she finally whispered, I need help, no one was there to hear it. They vanished.
But four casual friends stepped up. Somehow, they heard her cry.
None of them were impressive.
None of them were influencers.
None of them were anything special.
Bob worked a night shift at a gas station. Katy lived in her car. Jason had a criminal record that seemed to have its own mailing address. Barb swore too much to be mistaken for religious.
And somehow… They believed in her harder than anyone ever had. These four friends became her unlikely rescue team. They would not give up on her.
All four would come every evening. They would feed her, talk to her, hold her hand when crying, and help her come down slowly. Katy would help her shower. She often spent the night with Marla, as long as Marla was OK with it.
In the morning, Bob would stop by. He and Katy fixed breakfast, and they ate together.
Jason and Barb came over after work and visited. When Katy got off her part-time job, she joined them. Shortly after that, Bob stopped in before going to work.
This day was different. They knew she needed professional help. They also knew Marla's family paid for a couple of rehab attempts and would not do it again. It was time to try again. Marla was responding well to their help, but everyone knew she needed more.
Their first hurdle was money. Katy knew of a pastor in town who works with troubled people. He would know ways to help with the money, support groups, and other assistance.
The four, now faithful, friends visited with the pastor. He didn't pull any punches. It would be a long road to recovery. But he did set them up with a lot of help and ideas.
They started fundraising. First was a GoFundMe page. Their new pastor friend helped get the word out.
They were not about to give up. That stubborn streak in them shone. The local High School found volunteer students to do a car wash, part of the required community work time. A couple of ladies who do volunteer work at the shelter heard of their efforts. They were so impressed, they set up a bake sale to help them. All four would find odd jobs to generate more revenue for their friend.
The day came when Marla could get the professional help she needed.
The four friends went to the first rehab center on the list that the pastor gave them. The center turned them down. They were full and she had been there too many times. She needed more than they could provide her. The four friends pleaded their case, but the answer was still no.
The second center on this list was a flat no.
The third center on the list turned them down.
They were beginning to think that it would be up to them to get Marla straight.
They had one more to try. It was the most expensive of the four. Even though they felt there wasn't enough money. They tried anyway.
The fourth rehab center took the application and said they would get back to them. Bob, Katy, Jason, and Barb were starting to feel defeated.
Barb went off on a long, foul-mouthed rant over how these places were supposed to help. Jason joined the brash conversation. Bob and Katy stayed out of the melee. Katy broke and tears came rushing out. Bob's phone rang.
It was the last rehab center they visited, asking them to set up an appointment with them and Marla. Barb's mouth was halfway through a four-letter word, frozen open. Her eyes were open so wide, it looked like they would fall out. Rough and tough Jason fell to his knees and cried. Kay got down next to him and cried with him. Bob set the appointment and blew a big sigh of relief.
While they knew this was not locked in, mostly due to lack of money, they put on their "positive hat" and got Marla. Marla was nervous, scared, but determined. Her friends helped her gather strength.
The meeting was very upbeat. She was accepted. All that was needed was the money. They went to the finance office. The lady sitting behind the desk looked up at them and said, "I see you are short on making this happen. We have a special finance program for those who are in need. Let's get the application done and submitted."
Again, they left without a commitment.
Two days later, Bob gets a phone call. He was slow to answer; his nighttime is everyone else's daytime. It was the lady from the finance office. She had great news. One of their donors heard of their efforts and offered to pay for the whole rehab. Bob was completely speechless, which rarely happens with him.
He gathered the troops at Marla's place and gave them the great news. Jason was high-fiving everyone. Katy was hugging Marla. Bob jumped in and started helping Marla pack. Barb's mouth was frozen open again, this time, in disbelief.
Marla entered rehab that day.
Days turned into weeks.
All four of them took time to visit Marla whenever it was allowed. They could see the change. The life that was lost was returning.
Weeks turn into months.
Month three came. The gang visited her as they had done for the past two months. But there was a huge difference that day. Marla was standing tall with a big, beautiful smile on her face. She hugged each of them.
Then she said, "I've got news. Bob, Katy, Jason, Barb… I would not be standing here if it were not for your determined help." She paused for a moment, "I'm being released next week!!"
They celebrated loudly.
The following week, the gang was all here. Waiting for Marla.
Marla walked down the hall, and patients, nurses, and staff were cheering loudly. As she approached her friends, she saw a strange face. Her pace slowed a bit. She nervously tugged on her fidget bracelet. Then quickly walked to her friends.
She asked them if they knew that strange man standing over there. Bob spoke up, "That's the pastor who helped make all this possible."
She looked at each one of her friends. They, one by one, nodded in agreement. That beautiful smile that had been gone for so long came busting out.
Marla ran over to the pastor and gave him a big hug. She whispered something in his ear. He smiled proudly.
Not one of her friends took pictures while she was at her lowest. Never crossed their minds. But the phones were out today, portraits and selfie group pics were clicking faster than a hummingbird's wing flap.
It was time to leave. Marla was getting nervous again, picking at her widget bracelet. Barb and Katy grabbed her hands, Jason led the way, and Bob was on her six. They left, together.
They arrived at Marla's home. It was cleaned, neat, and cozy. A "Welcome Home" sign graced the wall across from the front door. The new life begins now.
Marla confided in her friends a desire of hers. She wanted to go back to school and get a college degree. Her friends look at each other with the unspoken acceptance of an unspoken idea. They looked at Marla and told her of the money they raised. It should help pay for, at least, part of her college education. All five shed happy tears.
Marla started college the following fall.
Life is about changes and journeys.
Bob became the manager of the entire gas station. Jason and Barb teamed up and started a business. JaBa became a household name as they became the best cleaners and handymen around. Katy found full-time work for a garden nursery. She eventually worked up to general manager. She bought a home.
Four years just flew by. The gang would get together whenever they could. They checked up with Marla to be sure things are good.
More changes came; Jason and Barb got married. Bob made a bid that was accepted. He now owns the gas station. Katy took over all the duties of managing the nursery, so the owner can travel and relax a bit. Essentially, she is sort of a CEO now.
Marla graduated from college.
She kept a secret from her friends. Only the pastor knew it.
Bob, Katy, Jason, and Barb were invited to a Sunday service by the pastor. He said that you will see a miracle happen. They sheepishly accepted.
The pastor helped them so much on the journey with Marla that they felt obligated to attend.
Sunday came. They walked into the church and chose to sit in the back row. They excused themselves as they walked past the married couple and the sharply dressed older man.
Bob sat next to the sharply dressed older man. He asked Bob, "First time here?"
Bob replied, "Yes, the pastor helped us so much, we couldn't refuse his invitation."
The man replied, "Believe me, I know."
After the singing was over and the collection plate was passed, the pastor announced to the congregation, "We have a new assistant pastor. She will do the service today.
Bob, Katy, Jason, and Barb were stunned as they watched Marla take the podium. She looked at them and winked. She started her sermon," Today we will talk from Mark, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 12 and 17."
"Hello, my name is Marla and I am a drug addict. This is my story…"
Based on Mark 2:1-12
Synopsis
Like the friends in Mark 2 who refused to stop until they reached Jesus, Marla is carried through rejection by people who wouldn't quit. The Rehab retells the miracle as perseverance — showing that healing begins when someone decides you're worth the fight.
Tap to read the actual bible passage:
Story of Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
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