Easter is the Answer to EVERYTHING!

As I was on my morning walk, I saw this sign in one of the neighbors’ front yard. I looked around at other homes, and it occurred to me that there were no other reminders that the Easter season is here. Even at our local stores -- Easter décor is pretty slim pickin’s. To think that just three months ago, our homes were over-embellished with Christmas décor and an abundance of lights and animation, inside and outside, and EASTER......zilch -- nada!

Easter is only two weeks away, yet there is no resemblance to the craziness of what we do at Christmas. Besides decorating our homes, our churches, our front lawns and even wear Christmas themed clothing, we also buy gifts for our families and even for people we hardly know. Our calendars fill up for almost the entire month of December with all of the parties, concerts, and other celebrations.

The Son of God, Jesus -- His birth was a really BIG DEAL!! Without His birth, there would be no Easter. Prophets told of his birth hundreds of years in advance and Mary, His mother, was a virgin -- now that's reason enough for a noteworthy holiday! His birth stands out in history, and the story is worthy of remembering and retelling. But, then fast forward three months and based on the lack of decorating and outloud, grandiose fanfare and celebrations, Easter seems to come in almost unnoticed.

For many of us, it's on purpose. Partying isn't what we do when someone we love is facing death. In reality, for many of us, we started on Ash Wednesday to welcome this season as one where we go more introspective to a place of hallowness to realize our need to ponder -- not just the sacrifice Christ made by leaving heaven's glories to become one of us, but to walk side-by-side with Him on His journey to Calvary. No fanfare is needed. With great gratitude, we remember Jesus because of who He was and what He did, not simply because of His birth. In particular, we celebrate Easter because Holy Week marks the culmination and fulfillment of His life and work. All of humanity – ALL OF US -- were cursed and doomed to death, but during the week of Easter, Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity and died in our place so that we might live. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave and demonstrated His power over death. At Easter, Jesus rescued humanity for all time.

So why does it seem like Christmas is a bigger deal than Easter? Is it the presents? Is it the snow, the holiday movies, Santa Claus? Is it the family traditions, the many parties, caroling and delicious Christmas delicacies?

Here is one of my fondest Easter memories as a child. We’d get up very early, while it was still dark, on Easter morning. Then we'd head to the Easter Sunrise Service held at Laurel Land Cemetery in Oak Cliff, Dallas. Yes, an Easter Service in a grave yard! That seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? But, what better place to relate to the fact that He, Who was as dead as those folks are and was entombed to be there forever, BUT, unlike those precious loved ones buried there…..that grave could not hold Him down.

A birth always seems more reason for celebrating than a death, but not in this case. From the cross to the grave to life is the grandest celebration of all because His death means life everlasting for you and me. Yes, my friends, without Easter, we would have no hope for today or tomorrow. So, how big is Easter? Oh, it's only the answer to pretty much EVERYTHING!!! So let the celebrations BEGIN!!

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Typically, I'm not, because usually there's a little light of some kind around that helps us see a path we're on. I'll admit, though, while at my kids' home in Austin and I was staying at the guest house for a while....late at night when I walked between the two houses, I did get an eery feeling about a bobcat or another creature jumping out at me. LOL! Then on Monday morning when the electricity was completely out in their home and it was pitch black in the room and house, I did think about those who are seeing impaired and I had a new appreciation for their abilities and courage to live life so fully. I was thrilled I had my mini flashlight with me to help me navigate through the house.

I saw this photo online and tweaked it a little and made it my own as I thought about how the "darkness" was taking over way too many of my friends' lives. Their children are afraid to sleep without a light on in the room and another friend said she needed the TV going to get to sleep. I saw the shades pulled down in a friend's home. Seemed she was preferring the darkness. Each of these precious people, and perhaps, some of you, need to hear these words today. The darkness is afraid of your light and when your light shines brightly..... the darkness will run in fear.

I heard Australian speaker, Christine Caine, tell this story about her little girl. "When my daughter, Sophia Joyce, was very young, we were shopping at a Wal-Mart. We love America for your Wal-Marts! It’s the only place I know of where I can get a casserole and a flat-screen TV at 3:00 a.m. Sophie wanted a flashlight and had the perfect one picked out. Unfortunately Wal-Mart’s flourescent lighting doesn’t make for the best conditions to test out a flashlight. At the register, she was so excited to go home and try out her new little gadget. She said, “Come on, Mum! Let’s go find some darkness.” The lady at the register must have thought I was crazy. I was so excited about the insight of my little girl in that moment. I gave her the whole spiel. “Sophia, what you just said shows more spiritual maturity than most Christians ever reach. We will absolutely go find some darkness!”

And, that precious story speaks volumes about us and our lights. Often, we are so introspective about our fears, anxieties, and the darkness around us, that we fail to realize we don't have to stay there.....in that darkness. We can literally counterattack that darkness by turning on THE LIGHT within us, and when we do that -- we will shine so brightly that the darkness just can't stay. And, the best part? Not only will the darkness be dispeled in our lives...it will light up the world around us. So, as Christine told her little girl......let's go find some darkness and turn our LIGHTS on brightly and just see the change we'll make for ourselves and those around us today!