Once upon a time I celebrated with the eggs, the chocolates, the dress, the basket, and little yellow spring peeps (baby chicks). One year I even got a turtle; what was my Mom thinking? Of course the turtles were easier to catch than the peeps! Since there were three siblings, she painted our first name initial on the turtles' backs. I'll never forget the pink nail polish lettering of my initial "D" on mine.
Growing older I began to drop off one thing after another; eventually dropping out of church as well. Life was a whirlwind of craziness for me; I never seemed to catch my breath, before another awkward adventure appeared. At this particular time I was making crazy money. So me and my ego thought to impress the 'high powers'. I purchased a very expensive spring dress and thought to make my way to my parents' church: "See how important I am now?!" I awoke Easter morning to find ten inches of snow on the ground!!! I admit I felt disappointed to wear a long red wool coat over it. So much for impressing God, the universe, and everything. I've never bought another new dress, specifically for Easter, since then.
I was humbled and decided it didn't matter what I wore; just get there if I was sincere enough to want to be there. Isn't that the question, though? How sincere was I? What were my thoughts concerning Easter? I had to look to the history of "The Passover" to offer me some insight. I was no longer covering the door posts in blood. With the advent of Messiah, the blood would now cover me.
The greatest thing was discovering that God loves me. He knows everything about me, past, present, and future... and still loves me. I'm coming to understand that His will is best, and I am often delighted and surprised by the outcome. Then again, when someone loves you, they always want what's best for you.
Today I celebrate the gift of God... the adoption/reconciliation made possible by the loving sacrifice of His only begotten Son. "Faith comes by hearing the word." Read this verse out loud to yourself: "In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." (Matthew)
I have been given the gift to pray for others. Feel free to write in the comment box: "Add me to the list."
Love to you all. Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Gift!
This was an amazingly moving and beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI don't have faith at all. It's not a matter of choice. it's just the way I am and I envy those who do but I can't fake it.
Have a great Easter. My family will be celebrating the Passover, and I'll be along for the ride (but my heart won't be in it!)
Bazza,
ReplyDeleteYou comment is kind, and also, thought-provoking.
It just might take me back to reading about Abraham. The LORD God's promise that through Abraham, all families of the earth would be blessed; all nations would be blessed. Can you imagine?
You've inspired me to take brush and canvas out; paint what God's gift means to me. What fills my heart? Like the time I prayed for your grandchild. Such a distance as I struggled to maintain faith that God's will would be victorious. But I was only being selfish, wanting the child to be completely healed.
So I began to pray for you and your family to have acceptance of whatever outcome. The rest is history and I cried when I read the last post 'of healing'. (Excuse the personal reference, but I learned so much from that time.) Let go and let God.
Happy Passover.