I love Easter. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember. Of course, initially, my love of the holiday had nothing to do with the real reason we celebrate, I just loved getting together with my cousins, the Easter egg hunts, the candy and, let’s face it, the promise of a gift from the Easter Bunny.

When I got a little older, my fondest memories of the holiday go back to when I would get to travel with my Grandma to my aunt’s to spend the holiday with her and her family.  My aunt had three girls about my age so we had a blast each time I got to go with grandma to visit them. The silly things we did on those trips still makes me smile. Of course, I cherished every minute with my Grandma, so a four-hour trip each way with her was the icing on the cake. 

When I was about middle school age, I was blessed to spend the summer with a different aunt and uncle in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and got to be in the Passion Play for the summer.  It was a beautiful experience and, even though it wasn’t Easter while I was actually there, it really began to embed in me what Easter was all about. Acting out the events of Holy Week night after night was an experience that I’ll always cherish. It gives me a frame of reference anytime I hear the Passion story, as I can picture the scenes from the play in my mind instead of relying totally on my imagination. 

It wasn’t until I had a family of my own and was attending church regularly did I learn to really value Easter for the gift it represents to us.  I remember when a dear friend’s mother passed away during Lent, hearing Pastor talking about how much Elsie loved Lent and how fitting it was that she went home to Jesus during her favorite season. It was like a switch flipped for me that day. No longer did I view Lent as a dark and dreary season of the church, but rather began to see it as the opportunity to focus on the gift we have in Jesus’ death. The gift that gives all who believe in His resurrection the hope of eternity. 

At the time, I hadn’t focused on the promise that He was talking directly to each one of us when he said, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14: 1-3)

I grew up in the church, sitting right there beside my beloved Grandma week after week, looking up the songs and singing right along with her all the old favorite hymns, many of which still brings tears to my eyes each time I hear them.  But, back then I was too young to put together all the pieces of how God sent his only son so that we sinners would have a guaranteed spot in heaven. I never understood how excruciating it had to be for Him to watch His son die as payment for each and every one of our sins. But I was drawn in and I knew I felt at home in that setting.

Thinking of that scripture in John 14, I never would have dreamed that I would read those very words to my Grandmother over and over again after her debilitating stroke as she lay wishing she could go home to heaven, thinking God had forgotten her.  I still remember reminding her that her room must be really special because it was taking longer than she thought it should to get ready. Eventually, it was ready and she was called home. The comfort it gives me to know that she is there in that room perfectly decorated for her as she waits for our reunion brings me so much joy and peace. Although I still miss her, I get to celebrate the knowing that we will be together again one day. 

So as I write this, anticipation is rising for me because this Easter I get to have a mini-reunion with those very cousins I used to visit with Grandma every year.  We see each other so seldom that it will be a true highlight for me. And to do it over Easter weekend makes it doubly special. While together we will be celebrating my aunt’s 80th birthday.  The whole family will be together and I couldn’t be more excited to see everyone, catch up, and share old memories of days gone by. 

As I consider this, I realize that there will be children there that will simply be focused on the festive atmosphere, the cake, and the joy of being together. They won’t realize what a gift it is to gather from such faraway places.  They won’t realize that the eggs being hunted the next day represent Jesus lying in the tomb for three days, or rising on Easter morn. They won’t even begin to understand the significance that some of us at the gathering may not see the others again before the joyful reunion we will have in heaven.  

But the beauty of it is, they don’t have to understand all of that to be blessed by it. They don’t have to have a deep understanding of scripture and how it all ties together.  They can simply believe with the simplicity of a child and reap all of the benefits.  And so can you.  No matter where you are on this journey called life, you can stop and ask Jesus to enter your heart. And the ask him to show you how you can begin your journey to understating and to salvation.  You don’t have to know the details, you simply have to trust Him and take the first step. 

I know that many of you listening today are mourning the death of a loved one. I also know it is always more raw and painful as holidays draw near.  Their absence at the table is more notable and more painful.  But this year, as you wipe away the tears of loss, I pray that you remember it’s only temporary and that you will be with them again someday.  And in the meantime, share this amazing news with as many people as you can so they, too, can be at that reunion that will last throughout eternity.  When we will be able to celebrate every day like it is Easter.  On second thought, why wait?  Why not celebrate every day here and now as if it were Easter?  

Before I close, I want to take a minute and wish my aunt Shirley a happy birthday.  You are a woman of God and even though your life has not always been what you thought it would be, you clung to Him knowing that in Him life is always better. Even when it’s a struggle.  So enjoy this week.  Enjoy the time with your family and know that you are loved. Enjoy being a Queen, not just for a day, but every day, because you are.  Not just in the eyes of your immediate family.  Not just in the eyes of your extended family and friends.  But by our everlasting Father who created you in the womb and made you to be exactly the person you are today.  God Bless you, may he keep you, and may He grant you many more opportunities to celebrate Easter!

Thank you for listening today. If you know someone who you think might be encouraged by these words, please share this with them. You can do so either from my vonajohnsoncoaching Facebook page or, if you are listening on iTunes, by simply clicking on the share button.  

I pray that you and yours have a blessed Easter and that you will celebrate every day like it is Easter!

As I mentioned recently, Reviving Your Soul will be transitioning to Longing for More on April 30.  The show will continue to be a mix of my thoughts and interviews, but will align more directly with my coaching and will be more easily identifiable to people who know they were created for more and can’t ignore the life their soul is longing for anymore.  

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