A visitor on Easter Sunday told me that Easter was their favorite day of the year. I asked, “Why is that?”. They said, “Well with all the sadness in the world I think we deserve one day of happy news!” I couldn’t agree more. Except that having one day a year to celebrate happy news seems a bit defeatist. Why settle for one day? At Easter we proclaim that in the resurrection of Jesus, God has conquered sin and death forever. So why not see that proclamation everyday? As the angel said to the women at the tomb, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” In other words, if you’re always staring into a tomb, of course all you will only see is death! So, look for the living! The good news is that Easter is not just one day. Easter is a season that lasts for 7 weeks. So lets make it our objective to look for life. Where do you see life? Where do you see the signs of the kingdom near you? How are you pointing it out to others? Here’s a wonderful poem I found that helps me to see life everyday. I hope it helps you too. Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia.
Rev. Rob+
Everything is thank you if you look carefully.
The trees that lose their leaves still raise their limbs.
The earth farewells the sun and moves around again.
Those we love draw tears and smiles from us in unison.
Everything is grace and begins again.
We know this because each new day speaks of redemption.
Because Peter denied his friend and was forgiven.
Because the sleep that restores us, in a small way reflects the resurrection.
Each small death, brings life, and each gift of surrender, is an offering.
A down payment for the new day coming.
For every Friday is followed by a Sunday.
And every empty grave formerly held something.
Yes everything is thank you if you look carefully.
Everything in nature, love and life reveals the resurrection.
He who bore our sin, pain and grief lives again.
And our cross, so hard to bear we find lifts us to heaven.
Yes everything that happens we can thank him. For we know our story lives in his, without an ending.
Ana Lisa de Jong
April 2017
Rev. Rob+
Everything is thank you if you look carefully.
The trees that lose their leaves still raise their limbs.
The earth farewells the sun and moves around again.
Those we love draw tears and smiles from us in unison.
Everything is grace and begins again.
We know this because each new day speaks of redemption.
Because Peter denied his friend and was forgiven.
Because the sleep that restores us, in a small way reflects the resurrection.
Each small death, brings life, and each gift of surrender, is an offering.
A down payment for the new day coming.
For every Friday is followed by a Sunday.
And every empty grave formerly held something.
Yes everything is thank you if you look carefully.
Everything in nature, love and life reveals the resurrection.
He who bore our sin, pain and grief lives again.
And our cross, so hard to bear we find lifts us to heaven.
Yes everything that happens we can thank him. For we know our story lives in his, without an ending.
Ana Lisa de Jong
April 2017
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