For those of us who live in the temperate zone of North America, Easter coincides with spring and the greening up of our yards and gardens. My tulips started blooming this week which is early as traditionally we look for them around Mother’s Day in May. We don’t need to mow yet but the new green blades of grass are overcoming the old brown grass more each day. I love these signs of new life. Our new poppy made it through the winter and has started to emerge!
As a child Easter also meant new clothes. We got a new dress to wear to church and maybe a little hat and white gloves too. Easter was a special occasion. It was exciting to color eggs and then look for them on Easter morning. My memories of church are mostly of the Rockbrook Methodist and singing the hymns and listening to Reverend Zook preach. I remember especially Onward Christian Soldiers and Holy Holy Holy. I remember the choir members in their robes coming in from the back and walking up the center aisle. I also remember gazing at the stained glass windows. One window was dedicated to my little sister Leslie who died as a young child. My memories are fuzzy but going to church was mostly about Jesus and his love.
As I’ve gotten older Easter and the resurrection story have taken on more of a meaning of hope than anything else. Hope that Christ was who he claimed to be, hope that we who love him can follow him to a new life after this one, and hope that there is a purpose for this sad world and the imperfect people in it. That hope is also available for me now in this life as well. Not that bad things won’t happen but that the one who overcame it all is there beside me all the way. Hope is an element of new life.
Happy Easter to all. May you hope in Him.
Lou
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