Thoughts on Easter

Well Easter is coming in just a couple weeks and I had prepared to do a little baking activity about how to teach your small children about Christ's resurrection. However, my "Resurrection Rolls" did not turn out too good and I did not feel they were worthy of your viewing. Instead I have decided to share something very personal with you and I pray you bear with me.

This Easter season has been very difficult for my family. I just waved goodbye to my husband and sweet kids as they head out for the weekend to say farewell to a beloved Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

This photo was taken just days before dear Joanne was taken from this world suddenly due to cancer.

Not even two weeks ago did I say kiss my family goodbye as I flew up north to say farewell to my sweet 19 year old cousin, who was unable to win his battle against drugs and was taken from this earth too soon due to drug related causes.

This photo was taken 2 1/2 years ago on Fourth of July

Death is very painful...It does not feel natural for a loved one to be taken from us....It should not feel natural!  Because we were not created for death. So we rage against it, I rage against it. And then I take comfort in the promises of God, that even though sin and death have entered this world Jesus has made a way for us by dying on the cross  in our place so that we may live as His child eternally in heaven... 

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

And it is not enough that Jesus just died, but he also ROSE from the grave and conquered death! And this is why we celebrate EASTER!! Because even though there is pain and suffering, and even though my dearest loved ones died, both of them believed in what Christ did for them and both of them have found relief from their afflictions in the arms of Christ. DEATH HAS LOST IT'S STING!! 

This post has been difficult for me to write and feel there is so much I want to say but have no words to say them. As I sit here in tears (of sorrow and of joy) I think of these lyrics to one of my favorite Easter songs:

"Oh Death, where is your sting? Oh Hell, where is your victory? Oh Church come stand in the Light. The glory of God has defeated the night. Oh Death, where is your sting? Oh Hell, where is your victory? Oh Church come stand in the Light. Our God is not dead He's Alive, He's Alive!!"

I appreciate all you readers who I just bore a bit of my soul too. I want you to know that I would not have done so if I did not feel like you were all my friends. I love this community and I am grateful for all of you.

xo - Christie