John 11:25-26 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and
whoever lives and believes in me will
never die. Do you believe this?”
Today
I want to honor my
sister-in-Christ and friend, Janet Martinez,
who is now out of our sight and beholding the face of our Lord. I met Janet
years ago through mutual friends;
friends or better said sisters-in-the Lord. I met her through my sister
Diana & brother Ruben. I knew her through Vivian and I knew her via Adrianne.
Something beautiful happens when lives are
touched by the Spirit of God. Ordinary people; people who at one time
did not know how much God
loved them; regular every day folk living life one day
at a time. People
with dreams and hopes. Men and women from all walks of life interacting and
then sometime happens. Jesus, known
to those who hear his voice, as the Shepherd,
the Redeemer, enters in and our lives are never the same again.
Yes,
never again the same.
Yesterday is somehow
divided by who
we were and who we will be. The Spirit draws us and begins to do a work that only God can do.
How is
it that God takes
so many different people and
somehow creates a family; a
family tied by a tangible
tenderness and love that we just can't explain. People not born in our own family line, but knitted
together because
of our bond in Christ. It's the linage of Christ. It's a wonderful miracle
that I have experienced over and over again.
Look around. If you have been in the
midst of the Body of
Christ; his family is BIG! His
love for us is immense and it filters
down through every vessel, every believer who has been captivated
by his Presence. It's a love capable
of touching lives and leaving an imprint; a mark that speaks clearly of HIS great love.
Janet showed me that love. Whenever
she would see me, she would call me "mamasita".
It was her affectionate name
for me. (If she called you by that
name too, don't ruin it for me,
ok :) ) . Her
contagious laughter could make any heart begin to smile,
and if the laughter
continued, you too would
shortly join in. It really was good
medicine.
I will
miss my sister Janet. I hold on to God's promise; that he who
believes in Christ; he who's
sins are forgiven and washed by the Blood of
the Lamb; he, even though he dies, will live! Janet, I'll meet you at the supper table!
God bless you!~Liz www.lizrod.com
