Why?

Why do I celebrate Easter? NOT for chocolate bunnies, colored wicker baskets, vinegar dyed eggs, pastel dresses, big hats and corsages and skinny white bunny rabbits awaiting long-line photo opportunities?

Easter, my most endeared season of life, holds a heavy weight for me. When I ponder the journey from the cradle to the grave my heart cannot contain the gratitude. Sometimes my emotions fill with an overwhelming gravity for the cross... nails driven into hands and feet, violent whipping across precious flesh, defiled spit and slaps thrusting his face, venomous words being thrust upon ears and strike after strike after STRIKE! What the Jews did to Jesus, God intended for our good! I'm OVERWHELMED by such love. To die a gruesome, brutal death for a broken soul like mine leaves a gigantic longing to live surrendered to Him. He deserves my everything while I deserve what I didn't get; a horrible hell.

Why do I celebrate Easter? For sincere gratitude for a lavished love, a secured hope in an overtaken sinful world, love that never leaves, immeasurable strength for my journey that grows weary, delight when the world leaves me stale, to instill stability within the hearts of those I will leave behind, to set an example for little feet to follow, to fulfill my privilege as a believer; to tell EVERYONE I meet what He did for me and that they too can be forever changed by Him. EVERY sacrifice is worth it... because Jesus is WORTH IT!

I am NOT my own. This life I live is a reflection of my Savior; He rescued me from darkness and is carrying me through and into His purposeful light.

I am FOREVER changed. I am FOREVER grateful. I am FOREVER His.

I pray you are FOREVER changed by what He did for you and me... He is sitting at the right hand of our Father interceding on our behalf. He intended man's evil for OUR GOOD. Embrace His good!

"I have been crucified with Christ it is I who no longer live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galations 2:20, ESV)