Friday, January 1, 1999
Friday, January 1, 1999
You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the
living and enduring word of God.(1 Peter 1:23
NRSV)
Fortunately, Lizbet was an extremely bright child, and she learned her lesson well. Not only was
Lizbet bright, she also had an astonishing talent for music. She was chosen to be first violinist of
the Havana youth symphony.
It was primarily for Lizbet's sake that Danne and Jorge decided to escape to the United States.
They knew that they could never get a visa, so Jorge began swiping inner tubes from a nearby
trucking depot. Finally, in August 1994, word came that security along the beaches had been cut
back, and it was safer to escape now. Danne and Jorge knew that if they were ever going to go,
they would have to go now. They would build a raft out of inner tubes and set out for the States.
But this was dangerous, and so Jorge and Danne thought they should consult Lizbet. When Jorge
and Danne told Lizbet of their plan, she left the room. She came back with her Bible, her violin,
and her asthma inhaler. "I'm ready," she said. Lizbet was ready to begin this journey to a new life.
As I read about Lizbet and her family, I wondered how many people in this world are ready to
make a new beginning in their lives. May this new year be filled with new beginnings in Jesus
Christ!
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Danne and Jorge Martinez wanted to raise their eleven-year-old daughter Lizbet to do right.
Unfortunately, they had no choice but to teach Lizbet to lie. You see, the Martinez family lived in
Cuba. They were members of Castro's Communist Party. But inside their home, these devoted
parents complained bitterly about the political situation that was destroying their country. And
so, when Lizbet was old enough to attend school, her parents sat her down and explained the
facts of life to her. She was never to publicly criticize the Communist system. She was never to
tell anyone what her parents talked about at home. If her teacher said anything that contradicted
what her parents taught her, she was to keep her mouth shut. Danne and Jorge loathed the fact
that they had to teach their child to lie, but it was necessary for the survival of the family.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, be with me this year in all of my new beginnings. Amen.
Past/Current Devotions | Help Promote This Page | E-mail Rev. Newhouse