Psalm 96:1-3

Earlier this week I wrote about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Yesterday, I wrote about waiting for an answer from the LORD.

Two days ago I was sure my dog was ready to leave this world.

Yesterday my perked up (obviously she had not been dead, as in the story of Lazarus, but her amount of recovery seemed nearly like the death to new life of the Lazarus story), impressed the vet, and gained at least one more day on this earth.  That made me think about singing for joy, and that led me to Psalm 96 verses 1-3

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his marvelous deeds.

The LORD does marvelous deeds.  His glory and salvation are important aspects of my life.  I try to share that with all I know.  Not in evangelical worlds most of the time.  Mostly just in the way I live.

This morning, as I prepare to run another race today, spend the early afternoon with my 7 year old at a lacrosse game, and enjoy the weekend, I look at my dog.  She actually looks not much better than on Thursday.  

Why did she perk up for one day?  I'm not sure I'll ever know.  Might she perk up again later today or tomorrow?  The vet did tell us that it really will be a day by day issue at this point in time.  So, maybe she will.  Or maybe she is just such a proud dog that she wants everything (even the way she goes) to be on her terms.  

I think that the most important lesson to take away from all this is that every day with a friend or family member is precious.  Every moment should be appreciated and enjoyed to the fullest.  And be libing every moment to its fullest potential it is possible to give glory to the LORD.    

John 11:1-45

In looking for some inspiration for today's reflection, I came across this long reading. It is the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and how Lazarus had died and been placed in a tomb for four days while Jesus, who had been informed that Lazarus was ill, was on his way. Then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. When thinking about this reading, it was not for the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus. Rather, for the trust that both Martha and Mary--but especially Martha--showed in Jesus. In particular, two quotes seem to demonstrate just how much she was "all in" when it came to her belief.

21-22: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [But] even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

27: "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Both of these show Martha's belief and trust.

In my ow life, I try to give my all to my beliefs and my value system.  Some days I think I do a pretty good job.  Other days I fail miserably.

And, obviously, I will not perform the miracles Jesus performed, but I do also try to be the type of friend to others who can be trusted.  In that, I sometimes fail, but I must be pretty good.  I seem to be able to put friends at ease.  Many people over the years have commented that I am a good listener.  (Before I was married--now many years ago--I used to find that an annoying thing to be told as numerous people I might have been interested in dating would confide in me but not be interested in dating.  However, now, I see the importance of the role of confidant.)  Finally, I apparently do a good job of explaining things most of the time.  So, people place trust in me that I try to live up to.

I'm not saying that my insight is particularly profound and that no one else would have thought of what I just brought up.  But I wonder how many people who come across this reading would focus on the strength of will and trust and the very humanity of Martha and her relationship with Jesus rather than on the power of Jesus to raise Lazarus.