A Gentle Reminder

March 15

Sometimes a gentle reminder is in order. When your husband leaves his dirty socks on the floor, a quiet prod may be all he needs to improve his penchant toward being a bit slovenly. If your wife announces for the third time this week that you’re ordering out, a longing glace toward the stove may remind her how much you enjoy her wonderful, home-cooking.

We tend to receive such nudges well. While we may not be at all receptive to the badgering approach or the rude order, we can accept the subtle hint or overt statement that there’s an area in which we are perhaps remiss. Deep within is our desire to please those we love and when we are reminded of the things they enjoy we are very likely to comply.

Jesus understood that our faith, too, at times needs a gentle nudge. In John 11:40 He saw the grief of Mary and Martha when they stood at the tomb of their brother Lazarus. He did not chastise them for their unbelief. Instead He simply reminded of them of something they’d heard Him preach about many times before. He said, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”

The girls barely had time to dry their tear-filled eyes until they heard the bold proclamation that caused them and the entire, dumb-founded assemblage standing at the tomb with them to drop their jaws in wonderment! When Jesus commanded, “Lazarus, come forth,” every eye opened in amazement as Lazarus emerged from the grave! Hardly a quiet reminder of God’s power! Rather it was and is a bold declaration of what He can do for you when you trust Jesus!