September 7 – “Mysterious Martha”

Well, it looks like everything is falling into place for Josh and Christi to make their move from San Antonio to Waco later this month.  Right now they are finalizing details of their loan documents for buying a house in Waco.  They still need to sell their house in San Antonio, though, so if you know of anyone looking, let me know.  I can show them a great house in Northwest San Antonio.  Motivated seller.  And … I am a terrible real estate salesman.  Why don’t I leave that to the pros? 

In honor of that pending move I thought I’d share a quick story that Cailyn told us the other day.  We were sitting at the dinner table, having the usual dinner conversations that come up when a four-year-old little girl is the star of the show.  Princesses.  Pink and Purple things.  You know.  Earth-shattering topics like that.  One of us mentioned Aunt Christi and the upcoming birth of her child, a topic that has been the subject of virtually every prayer Cailyn has prayed here at our house since she found out Christi was pregnant.  Suddenly a very pensive look came over her face.  She was obviously in deep thought.  I for one am always anxious to hear what comes next out of her mouth.  She was struggling to formulate how she could say whatever it was so, no doubt so we could understand it.  She gets concerned about us sometimes in that area.  She took one more bite to give her that final boost of needed energy, and she began.

Cailyn: “My friend Martha lives in San Antonio.”

Me: “You have a friend named Martha?”
Cailyn: “Yes, but she died and now she lives in heaven.”
Me: “Oh, is that right?”  Gotta admit I was more than a bit stunned by that comment.  Not one I ever expected.  But she continued, with tiny, little tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Cailyn: “One time I was at her house, and her mother said to Martha ‘you better not do that.’  But she didn’t listen, and she got dead, and that’s how Martha got to live in heaven.”

So … wow.  What do you say in response to that?  I sure couldn’t think of anything.  Still can’t.  We sat in silence for a few moments, mourning dear, departed Martha from San Antonio.  And then all was well once again.  Back to pets and bows and dress-up clothes.  And who was this mysterious Martha?  I still don’t know.  Maybe a distant relative of April’s we haven’t heard stories about before?  Maybe someone they know from the fire department?  Maybe someone from the far distant past?  Wait.  I have an idea.  Maybe Martha was another of Cailyn’s imaginary friends.  Even so, it’s still sad to hear of her passing. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Father, please continue to grease the wheels for Josh and Christi to get to Waco and begin “officially” ministering there.  Amen.