Hard and Holy Days...
SHINE Reading Plan: Go here.
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
When my children were very small, my daughter woke up on Easter morning with a high fever.
There is no way she could go to church and all of the activities we had planned that day.
I was devastated.
She had the cutest little blue Easter dress, and I had the same color blue dress to wear.
Ugh. What I waste, I remember thinking.
My husband and son got dressed and went to church that Easter morning.
Presley and I were left at home, still in pajamas, disheveled and blurry eyed.
This was one of my most memorable Easter Sundays.
Instead of being miserable at home with her, I was surprised at how I enjoyed it.
No rush of getting ready. No flood of camera flashes trying to get the perfect family Easter picture.
It was calm. Peaceful. Serene.
We read the Easter story together in her children's Bible and snuggled up close in my bed.
What began as a disastrous morning, ended in a blissful quiet day at home.
This Easter, will be similar for all of us.
We will be at home. With our families. Maybe in pajamas, maybe not.
No rush to get to church on time. No rush to prepare the perfect side dish for the family Easter egg hunt. No rush to get an Easter haircut for the family.
This year will be different.
And, I have a suspicious feeling, that we will all look back on this Easter Sunday with fondness.
Peace. Quiet. Reflection. Rest. Anticipation.
Just like those disciples that sat at the feet of Jesus each day to soak in His teaching and His love....
They sat in quiet that Friday and Saturday after His death on the Cross.
Just like us...they wondered what their future would hold.
Just like us...they wanted to believe that life would somehow get back to normal.
Just like us...they wondered...how could it ever?
Just like us...they had witnessed unbearable suffering.
Just like us...they had regrets and doubts mixed in with their often struggling faith.
Just like us...they waited. They grieved. They cried. They told stories.
They also hoped. They also prayed. They also believed.
Just like us.
Imagine their faces that Sunday morning when they saw Jesus. Healthy, Whole, and Healed.
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:19-23
With all of my heart, I believe that we will miss these times together with our children, and loved ones under our roof.
I know, I know...it seems suffocating at times...I know all too well.
But, the hardest times are often the holiest times.
When nothing but a thread of faith hold us together most days, that's when God delivers the greatest miracles.
We don't know what tomorrow holds...but really, did we ever?
This Easter will be one we tell stories about for many generations to come.
Savor it.
the best is yet to come,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
When my children were very small, my daughter woke up on Easter morning with a high fever.
There is no way she could go to church and all of the activities we had planned that day.
I was devastated.
She had the cutest little blue Easter dress, and I had the same color blue dress to wear.
Ugh. What I waste, I remember thinking.
My husband and son got dressed and went to church that Easter morning.
Presley and I were left at home, still in pajamas, disheveled and blurry eyed.
This was one of my most memorable Easter Sundays.
Instead of being miserable at home with her, I was surprised at how I enjoyed it.
No rush of getting ready. No flood of camera flashes trying to get the perfect family Easter picture.
It was calm. Peaceful. Serene.
We read the Easter story together in her children's Bible and snuggled up close in my bed.
What began as a disastrous morning, ended in a blissful quiet day at home.
This Easter, will be similar for all of us.
We will be at home. With our families. Maybe in pajamas, maybe not.
No rush to get to church on time. No rush to prepare the perfect side dish for the family Easter egg hunt. No rush to get an Easter haircut for the family.
This year will be different.
And, I have a suspicious feeling, that we will all look back on this Easter Sunday with fondness.
Peace. Quiet. Reflection. Rest. Anticipation.
Just like those disciples that sat at the feet of Jesus each day to soak in His teaching and His love....
They sat in quiet that Friday and Saturday after His death on the Cross.
Just like us...they wondered what their future would hold.
Just like us...they wanted to believe that life would somehow get back to normal.
Just like us...they wondered...how could it ever?
Just like us...they had witnessed unbearable suffering.
Just like us...they had regrets and doubts mixed in with their often struggling faith.
Just like us...they waited. They grieved. They cried. They told stories.
They also hoped. They also prayed. They also believed.
Just like us.
Imagine their faces that Sunday morning when they saw Jesus. Healthy, Whole, and Healed.
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:19-23
With all of my heart, I believe that we will miss these times together with our children, and loved ones under our roof.
I know, I know...it seems suffocating at times...I know all too well.
But, the hardest times are often the holiest times.
When nothing but a thread of faith hold us together most days, that's when God delivers the greatest miracles.
We don't know what tomorrow holds...but really, did we ever?
This Easter will be one we tell stories about for many generations to come.
Savor it.
the best is yet to come,
jill
