I was in the crowd, no one knew me. People neither knew my name nor what I was going through. They just called me, “the woman of Canaan”. Those who attempt to call me by name refer to me as the “Syrophoenician.” Obviously, I was not significant.

I came around the coast because I had a big problem. The problem was so severe I didn’t know where else to turn. But I heard there was one last person that could help me.

Somehow I believed He could truly help. But as I arrived, I wondered what would happen.

When I saw the man, I cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David;” I had taken time to know about Him; I found out His name so I could address Him well. I had already heard about what miracles He performed. I had a feeling He would feel good if I called Him by his name.

To my surprise, this man that is supposed to be good first snubbed me: He gave me no attention, rather he was busy doing other things. Even though I cried aloud and openly revealed my problem, I told Him my daughter was tormented by demons. He neither looked at me nor said anything to recognize my presence.

Not only did his lack of response represent a “NO”, His assistants also helped Him to say, “NO.”

They said to Him saying, “Send her away; for she crieth after us.” My cry and demand was becoming annoying, they wanted no part of my disturbance.

This powerful man finally decided to say something. He told me He was not sent to people like me. I heard Him say, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This meant He could not and would not attend to me. Oh my God, who would ever help me?

If all else had failed and the last man I sought would dismiss me so unceremoniously. Is there anybody who could help?

First He ignored me, then He said He wasn’t sent to people of my kind. This is saying “NO” twice already, apart from the insult of his assistants. Yes, I heard them say “NO”.

Although all ways of having Him attend to me were blocked, I thought it wise to persist. I loved my daughter so much; I’d do anything to get her healed. I went on my knees and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” Nothing else I could do. There was nowhere else to go.

I decided to stay and see.

The situation got worse. The second time He opened his mouth, He called me “DOG”, with no reservations. Hear this. He said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Did He just classify me as a DOG? How bad can this get? Now He was really looking for a way to send the message that the answer would remain, “NO.”Yes, I knew the answer was, “NO”, but I’d read and known too much about this man to give up on Him. I have heard that He went about doing good. I knew that He was not a mean, wicked or disrespectful man. I knew Him to be the king of kings and a merciful and powerful miracle worker. I just knew I was in good hands. I wasn’t going to be embarrassed. I wasn’t going to give up. Everybody around me felt I had to be insane to persist in the face of insults. But I knew the healing for my daughter was not going to be based on my holiness or my cultural background. It was going to happen because of His holiness and my faith and persistence. I knew He would heal my daughter.

Do you know how I answered Him? I said, “Yes, you are right, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” I meant, yes, I don’t deserve anything as a sinful person but I’d take advantage of having a merciful savior like you. You are my master and I’d take the smallest of miracles from you. All I needed was to have my child restored. If that’s the crumb, I’ll take it. You are the one that taught us to be persistent always. I therefore won’t leave you until you bless me.  Although all indications pointed to a “NO”, even Christians encouraged me to seek another means but I refuse to take “NO” for an answer.  I have been told that I cannot make it because of my accent and cultural background; that healing and blessing can’t come my way because my situation is too complex, but I’ve made up my mind. I won’t take “NO” for an answer.

Jesus was the man. He finally turned to me and said, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Yes! I got it. I got it. He didn’t mean “NO”. He meant, let’s see if you’ll persist. If you’ve prayed for so long and the answer seems not to be forthcoming, persist. Jesus will do it. He is developing your faith in the mean time.

Good news! Whether I had a name or not, I persisted, whether I was recognized or not, my daughter was healed, whether His initial answer was a NO or YES, I didn’t give up, He was only wooing my faith.

P.S: If you dear to be like me, determined, you will become happy and joyful.

Oh, by the way, I was not significant, but my Jesus made me significant. He healed my child when He saw and heard my faith.  Many times we feel that God Himself has said, “NO” but if we persist, we will receive our joy.  You can read fully about me in Matthew 15:21-28

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