Years ago Easter meant going to church is a pretty new dress, white gloves and hat, shiny new shoes.

Years ago Easter meant coloring eggs and baskets overflowing with chocolate bunnies and yellow peeps.

Years ago Easter meant the mixed of smells – an Easter lily and a ham baking in the oven; a coconut cake with a green coconut nest on top filled with colored jelly beans.

Laughter and smiles of beloved family members I hold dear.

Childhood memories fade though as my heart embraces Easter today.

My heart awakened to its own sinfulness,

my desperate need for a Savior,

His Love taking my place on the cross

so that I can have life everlasting.

It is the wonder of His Resurrection that keeps breaking through my thoughts

filling me with hope

that no matter how dark the moment

no matter how difficult the burdens

that He is ALIVE

AND THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Death had no hold on Him.

He breaks the power of canceled sin

and sets the prisoner free.

Yes, my heart sings and sings.

He still sets prisoners free again and again and again.

Let’s move into our world living in the light of His Resurrection

Let’s add value to people wherever we go

easing the burdens from those who are broken

a cool hand on a fevered brow

giving a listening ear

offering care and another place at the table.

Let’s live in the light of His Resurrection

and enter in the lives of others bringing them hope and blessing.

“In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”
― A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus’ Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope

May we do likewise as we live out the Easter story.