Up from Dust

January 1, 2024
Kaufman's biblical tale is based on the scriptural account of Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary. This family is described as friends of Jesus who lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and the author imagines that the siblings' mother died giving birth to Mary. Being the oldest child with no mother and a grieving father puts a great burden on Martha. She struggles at first to love her little sister while her brother looks to Martha when their father appears to be disappointed in him. As a teenager, Martha experiences love and loss while trying to keep her faith and avoid bitterness. The first time Jesus of Nazareth comes to Bethany, 10 years later, she witnesses his healing of a neighbor who contracted leprosy and begins to truly see the impact Jesus will have on their lives, especially for Lazarus. Martha also realizes that her heart needs healing. Kaufman's writing is skillful and compelling, conveying Martha's deep emotions and inner conflicts in a novel that will be greatly appreciated by readers who enjoy Christian fiction.

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