Monday, September 8, 2008

Why I started a blog!

First, I guess that I should mention how I came up with the name of my blog - Friendship for Lazarus. I have been reading a great book called I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d'Elbee, it is based on the teachings of St. Therese of Liseieux. In one of the first chapters entitled Humble Confidence, the author describes some examples of Jesus' friends that displayed confidence in Jesus and their reward for that confidence.
Martha and Mary demonstrated their confidence in Jesus at the bedside of their dying brother, Lazarus. They sent out a message to Jesus asking Him to come to the aid of Lazarus because they knew of Jesus' friendship for Lazarus - they knew Jesus' heart and His enormous compassion. The reason I love the story is because Jesus does not do the obvious which is to heal Lazarus on the spot even though it pained Jesus greatly that His friend was dying. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that Martha and Mary could demonstrate an even greater degree of confidence. By rewarding their confidence, he allowed an even greater sadness thus testing the strength of their confidence in Jesus.
Perhaps my favorite line in this chapter is "This is what Jesus is like with those who love Him. He does not grant the first prayer; He permits a greater trial. And we become distressed... Because God loves you, He wants to see how far you will push your confidence. He wants to be able to say to you, as He did to the Canaanite woman, 'How great is your faith!'"
So this is how I came up with the title for my blog - Friendship for Lazarus. I have humble confidence in Jesus' friendship for Lazarus and His friendship for me! It is a huge comfort in times of trials that I know that Jesus has my back. I am called to believe in the love of Jesus for me. For me!! It is a hugely overwhelming thought! To think that He, the Lover of love, the Sacrificial Lamb, the Great I Am, loves me in a way that can never be duplicated by anyone. I just don't feel worthy but who is, I guess!
I hope to use this blog as a place that I can turn my trials and tribulations into a demonstration of my humble confidence. I pray that those reading this blog know that I am a broken girl with an immense love my God. I do not claim to be anyone of importance and I certainly cannot solve the world's issues but I do feel called to share my story and that's what I'm gonna do!
Tune in next time...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it's beautiful. The blog AND the writer!

Anonymous said...

Amen to that, sista! Go Kelly!