Pool of Siloam (City of David FT)

How it looked in Jesus' day:

John chapter 9

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blindfrom his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

I learned a lot from rereading this miracle Jesus performed right here in Jerusalem at the Pool of Siloam. Archeologists only recently discovered (after a pipe bust) that the actual site (pictured) is further down the hill from what they had previously announced to be the location of the site. It amazed me that the blind man didn't really realize it was a complete miracle until after his friends were so impressed of someone who could do such a thing. His friends would ask who healed him and he responded: a prophet. They kept quizzing the man and later on, he completely appreciate that it was Jesus, The son of God who had healed him.

I look at my own life and think of tender mercies, or miracles, that I maybe brush aside and think of it as "luck".

No, it is Heavenly Fathers way of letting me know He is there for me and He knows me individually.

Two days after we visited this site in the City of David, I received a very special tender mercy. I played about 2 hours of basketball with a bunch of friends. We ended up playing until 11 pm and I sprained my ankle pretty bad at the end of the game. Frustrated that my ankle was throbbing, and discouraged at myself for procrastinating my Old Testament reading (33 chapters), I went straight to the library and stayed up until 2:30 am finishing my reading assignment.

I came home to my apartment and the sweetest note was laying on my bed along with a key necklace: Dear Alyson,

I love you! Thanks for being you and always brightening my day. You are the perfect example of setting prioritites and goals and I can't wait to see what's in store for you. You will be the best missionary and it definately counts that you're preparing so hard right now. I look up to you.

It was such a tender mercy and encouraging moment to me where I felt so loved.

I also got a sweet note from my cousin, Mary. So so thoughtful!

So my challenge to you is to write a note to someone who you think needs one. Really think about who you could help and follow the prompting. Promise it will make their whole entire week :)

XOXO, alyson :)