Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.  In John 11:25-26  Jesus makes the statement, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, though they die, yet shall they live.  And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”  Then he asks the question, “Do you believe this?”

I was leading a women’s retreat when I witnessed a resurrection and new life.  The woman gave me permission to share her story.  We had completed a session in which we talked about the power of the risen Christ to bring new life.  I asked the women to draw a picture of brokenness.  When they had all completed their drawings, I then asked them to tear up their picture and with the pieces create a new picture of love. As I watched the women creating, the only sound was the tearing of paper.  For some it was painful and it took a long time to even begin to try to make a new picture of love.  When everyone had finished we had a prayer and adjourned for dinner.  As others walked away, one woman held back.  I could tell that she wanted to talk to me.  She could hardly wait to tell me what had happened!

The woman was probably in her 50’s.  She told me that when she was 4 years old her mother left and she never saw her again.  She and her two younger brothers went from one home to another, between two sets of grandparents and their father.  When their father remarried, they went to live with him.  She said, “All these years I have tried to forgive my mother but I couldn’t.  When you asked us to draw a picture of brokenness, my picture was a child with a sad face.  Above  it I wrote the word LOST.  As I tore up that picture, I felt the presence of Jesus lifting that burden off my shoulders.  In that moment, forgiveness flooded my heart.  I was finally able to forgive my mother.  From those broken pieces, I made a new picture of love….the child with the words written above her..HAPPY, NO LONGER SAD.”

I witnessed the resurrection in that moment!  I will never forget.  At the close of the retreat I took pieces of what the women had created and put them all together, making a collage in the shape of a cross….

I’ll close with a confession.   This retreat was the first event I had committed to lead following my retirement.  Even though it was on my birthday, I said “yes” because I was so excited about doing this.  However, when the time came and I was driving the distance to get there, I was almost wishing I had said “no”.  In fact, I was even thinking perhaps I did not need to do any more retreats!  But after hearing this woman tell me what had happened for her, I immediately thought,  “Perhaps I better rethink this retreat deal! ”  I am so grateful that by the grace of God, I had this opportunity to be present.  Indeed, I witnessed a resurrection!  Wow!  It was awesome!

Pondering….

Have you witnessed a resurrection?

Is there someone you want to forgive?

nk