So the woman’s little girl is suffering so she travels to a man reported to be different, miraculous.

When she finds him she begs.

And he calls her a dog?

Not promising, unless you know the man.

Know that he is love
Know that he is incisive
Know that he will give more for her life than anyone else.

Give it all, in fact.

J. taught me that words only matter when actions buttress them.

He taught me I was allowed to distrust empty words.

He is, after all, the word of God made real to us.

So he challenges the woman’s pride, nationality, and assumptions. He calls her out. And her answer has been the foundation of my motherhood for the past 17 years.

Don’t matter how you look
Don’t matter if you are pretty
Or even smell good…
Being a mama means you sacrifice your pride to keep your little ones safe.

No one safer than Jesus.