Dear Friends,
Many have said all the first holidays are the worst and that may be so. Some say everything will get better. If you’re like me, you’re not really feeling it. This grief and the loss of our beloved is such an emotional and physical drain you wonder if you really will ever come out of it. Honestly, I wonder that too. Besides family and a few friends, what else is there? When I was a kid, I never understood the real meaning of Good Friday and Easter. We dressed up and occasionally went to church which later led to finding our Easter baskets full of candy. I never understood why they called Good Friday good, when someone died a horrible, awful death on a cross!
Everything changed shortly after I was married to my husband! I found out the real reason for Easter. I found out that forgiveness and acceptance from the one person who can totally change everything in my lifewas Jesus. I was sorry for my sinful ways and decided to let him take control of me. Ecclesiastes 3:11b, “He set eternity in the human heart.” God’s desire for us from the very beginning was that we would be at home with him. King Solomon said that everything really is meaningless without the hope we have in God.
Good Friday is the gateway for Easter, the best day ever! So thankful Jesus was the sacrifice for us, paid the price for our sinfulness and is preparing that eternal home for us to join our loved ones. And we can join if we know him personally.
Here’s the truth…He is not in the tomb, but fully alive in Heaven interceding for us. Josh McDowell, speaker and author said, “No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25.
It doesn’t even end there. There is more to the story…. John 14:15-31 reminds us that he didn’t leave us without help. It’s almost unbelievable that he loved us so much that he died for us but then gives us his spirit to comfort and guide us while on this earth. Just this week 6 months after Pat’s passing, wouldn’t you know for the first time, the Lord placed a Cardinal outside my window smiling at me. This week I went into the AT&T store to finally get the ongoing turmoil settled on my bill since it was not in my name, and the most kind, gentle, young man was so eager to help fix my problem. It was very noteworthy to me that his name was Gabriel. An angel there to help me.
While sometimes we may lose heart, we never should lose hope.
That hope is in the one that we celebrate this weekend. Jesus is not dead but fully alive in us.
I hope you have a Blessed Easter,
Sharon
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