As I look out my window this morning, a flurry of heavy, wet snow is dusting a layer of white upon the grass. Clouds fill the sky. Snowflakes can be beautiful, each with a pattern and design of their own. It will melt before the day is over. The tiny sign of new growth forces its way to greet the sun – longing for that welcome warmth which comes from God’s own hand. 

Hard boiled eggs intended for an Easter breakfast, will be tossed into the garbage today. A lost hidden Easter egg will be discovered. All that expensive chocolate will go on sale for those of us who didn’t buy any, because of the exorbitant cost. Those marshmallow Peeps will be relegated to a piece of Tupperware until they become hard enough to break a tooth. Does anyone really like those things? All the beautiful church music, flowers and other adornments will be put away and forgotten for another year. Some have overindulged and dread having to get back in the routine. Cares which we left bundled up and hidden away on Friday, have come back to smack us alongside the head and remind us of their presence. It is time for a do over. The beginning of a new week can indicate the need for change – the start of a new path – a reparation of past wrongs – the start of a different lifestyle – especially after the experience of Easter has filled our hearts with hope and joy.

As with many of our religious holidays, we sit idly and wallow in the wonderful food, the traditions of the past and the rituals. The beginnings we experience in life are a chance for us to indulge in an inauguration of sorts – a threshold to optimism. The past few days have been filled with the Christian message of hope, life eternal and forgiveness of sins. We have received the greatest gift ever from the Creator of the universe. Our life in heaven is guaranteed, but our walk on this planet will not be a cake walk. When we serve Jesus, we can expect difficulty.  By following Him, we may face persecution.  We will suffer.  We will cry and become anxious about things. The difference for the Christian is that we have hope – not in our accomplishments or good deeds, but in God’s unconditional love for us. As you begin this week, keep the truth of Easter alive.  It won’t make your walk on earth any easier, but you are guaranteed an eternity in heaven.

HE IS RISEN INDEED!