Reminder: Leave a comment on my blog any time in April (and you may comment multiple times) for an opportunity to win a copy of one of my books.
Yesterday I realized that it's been three years since I had a "family" Resurrection Day celebration (I refuse to call it "Easter.") Two years ago, I learned my daughter had died during Passion Week. Mom and I cried and held each other all through worship that Sunday. A year ago, Mom had already moved to Oklahoma while I was still in Colorado. Huh. My son, a Messianic who celebrates Jewish festivals, doesn't celebrate Resurrection Day.
Did I feel sad? Not at all. I joined with the host of people crowding our sanctuary and rejoiced in my living Savior.
And God gave our church something unique: a pair of nesting geese--with four eggs by the bushes right beside the front door! (I may to rethink my reaction to Easter eggs, since God sent us four real ones!) The poor Papa and Mama Geese were very stressed at having so many potential threats to their offspring milling around.
Eggs are about more than fertility. They celebrate the new life possible because He lives! Life eternal, different both in kind in duration, from the life we have at birth.
Amen!
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Monday
Over the weekend, I realized that I had "squandered" my Easter blog time slot. Silly me. It shows how I'm not thinking beyond the end of my nose these days.
Our church was packed yesterday, even the balcony. Yes, people came dressed in springtime finery. Children had enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. Fake grass lined the edges of the hallways and after the service I saw children tearing into packages of candy. But it was so much more than that ... the sheer joy and celebration that "Christ the Lord is Risen Today!" The cry of hundreds of voices responding "He is risen indeed!"
I love Easter. Without the resurrection, everything else I believe is meaningless. The fact Jesus returned from the grave proves everything He ever claimed and gives hope for my today and tomorrow. Without His resurrection--without the promise of my resurrection--Jolene is really and truly gone.
Even the rainy drizzle couldn't dampen my spirits. He is risen!
Say it back to me. He is risen indeed!
Amen and amen.
Our church was packed yesterday, even the balcony. Yes, people came dressed in springtime finery. Children had enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. Fake grass lined the edges of the hallways and after the service I saw children tearing into packages of candy. But it was so much more than that ... the sheer joy and celebration that "Christ the Lord is Risen Today!" The cry of hundreds of voices responding "He is risen indeed!"
I love Easter. Without the resurrection, everything else I believe is meaningless. The fact Jesus returned from the grave proves everything He ever claimed and gives hope for my today and tomorrow. Without His resurrection--without the promise of my resurrection--Jolene is really and truly gone.
Even the rainy drizzle couldn't dampen my spirits. He is risen!
Say it back to me. He is risen indeed!
Amen and amen.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Choir
I went to choir rehearsal last night.
Oh, what a blessing. What a blessing to lift and blend my voice with the other dedicated members of the Arapahoe Road music ministry. To be back among people who have held me up and prayed for me and visited us throughout this past difficult year.
Aside from a few weeks last summer, I really haven't been in choir since Jolene's death. First, it was too painful. Every song made me cry. Then, my knee went out and I couldn't possibly make the steps. Lately, I've been busy with writing deadlines and getting Mom settled. (And oh, yes, I still wasn't sure about those steps. Turns out they weren't so difficult after all.)
The rehearsal was wonderful, everything I hoped and longed for, until we reached a song we practiced for last year's Good Friday service. (We're using the same song again this year.)
I rehearsed and prepared for that service, but never took part. Instead, we held Jolene's memorial service on Good Friday. Easter came early last year, March 23, during the time we were in the first throes of grief. For all I know, every Easter from now on I will remember that Easter.
So grief and memory continue to intertwine in my life. Pray for strength to sing God's praise. He is the Resurrection and the Life and most worthy of all my praise and so much more.
Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. (Psalm 96:1-2, NIV)
Oh, what a blessing. What a blessing to lift and blend my voice with the other dedicated members of the Arapahoe Road music ministry. To be back among people who have held me up and prayed for me and visited us throughout this past difficult year.
Aside from a few weeks last summer, I really haven't been in choir since Jolene's death. First, it was too painful. Every song made me cry. Then, my knee went out and I couldn't possibly make the steps. Lately, I've been busy with writing deadlines and getting Mom settled. (And oh, yes, I still wasn't sure about those steps. Turns out they weren't so difficult after all.)
The rehearsal was wonderful, everything I hoped and longed for, until we reached a song we practiced for last year's Good Friday service. (We're using the same song again this year.)
I rehearsed and prepared for that service, but never took part. Instead, we held Jolene's memorial service on Good Friday. Easter came early last year, March 23, during the time we were in the first throes of grief. For all I know, every Easter from now on I will remember that Easter.
So grief and memory continue to intertwine in my life. Pray for strength to sing God's praise. He is the Resurrection and the Life and most worthy of all my praise and so much more.
Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. (Psalm 96:1-2, NIV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
