Prayer: Dear God, let me never fail to appreciate the wonder of your gifts. Amen. Reading: John 11: 1-45 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: In my family, I am teased for how easily sentiment moves me to tears. That coffee commercial that plays every Christmas, where the big brother/grown son sneaks into the kitchen to brew a cup of java and surprise his family – waterworks! It’s a Wonderful Life still brings me to tears, no matter how many times George prays on that bridge, or Clarence gets his wings. Just about every episode of “The Waltons” warms my heart and wets my eyes. None of these are sad; they all celebrate life and love, family and friendship. Community. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, He finishes His work far from Bethany, knowing his friend will die and that Mary and Martha will suffer the heartache of losing their brother. He also accepts that this must be, so that He can raise Lazarus from the dead “to glorify God.” That doesn’t stop Him from crying when He sees his friends’ pain. He knows how the story ends, yet He is present in the moment, too. In our lives, every day can bring happiness or sorrow, anger or ecstasy, but most of all surprises. Even if you think you know how the story will end, be grateful for the experience; open to the complexity and richness of living. The joy of salvation is assured, but it doesn’t have to be taken for granted. -- Heather LeBlanc
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