Why I Need to Remember Easter

I love Easter. Always have, for as long as I can remember.

There is always something new, fresh and exciting about this time of year. With this being our first Easter with Sweet Girl, you know I’ve got a pretty spring basket packed with a cellophane-wrapped chocolate bunny, Hello Kitty bubbles, little toys and a new Easter bonnet (and perhaps an Easter Crème Egg for myself). Last night we headed out to pick up some last treats to fill up the candy dishes around the house. On the way home, I couldn’t help but sing the hymn I grew up with as an Easter anthem (you learn hymns well when your Mama is the church pianist).

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;I know that He is living whatever men may say;I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Sweet Girl joined in (in her own way) on the chorus, and she even made Daddy sing along:

He lives, He lives,Christ Jesus lives today!He walks with me and talks with meAlong life's narrow way.He lives, He lives,Salvation to impart!You ask me how I know He lives?He lives within my heart. (This line always gets extra loud, enthusiastic emphasis)

I was reminded of this true great hope of Easter – that although during this holiest of weeks, those who know Jesus recognize His death, we recognize His resurrection life daily. And part of my job, as Sweet Girl’s Mama, is to share the hope that was passed down to me in life as well as the words of the hymn.Friend, I tell you this in all humility. It is so important to me that Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead.

I believe it because I see it in my own life daily.

As I have trusted in Him, this God of hope has filled my heart and mind with joy and peace that has not failed, even in the midst of all this broken world offers up. Daily I stumble, other people wound, my body and mind fail me, but He hasn’t failed me yet. Because of what I have experienced, I know He lives and loves me, without a shadow of a doubt.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,The day of His appearing will come at last.

This weekend, we will celebrate this glorious hope of Easter in a big way. We will eat, drink, and be merry because our Redeemer lives. It matters to me that Good Friday was followed by Easter Sunday, and that He is risen. Indeed. The amazing grace demonstrated in the cross and resurrection revealing His kindness and goodness that has drawn me. We have been made recipients of glory by no merit of our own. This hope has changed my life and continues to transform me, day in and day out. I am so grateful.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and singEternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,None other is so loving, so good and kind.

(He Lives, Alfred H. Ackley)

Ellen

If you’d like to learn a little bit more about my story (and see me wearing more makeup than ever before, which provoked a lot of blinking), you can view it here and here