Easter

This is a bit delayed and not really coherent, but it's what I've got.

I love going back to my parents' house and the church I grew up in for Easter, but for a number of reasons, this year it didn't work out for me to go back. After a busy spring though, I was really grateful for the weekend in town.


I also enjoyed getting to be here for the services at my church here. I was able to go to the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. I point this out because there was something really beautiful about these services.


The front of the sanctuary has a huge window that is framed in a cross. I see it every Sunday, and I know it's a cross but I think it's become so familiar I don't even notice it anymore. But it was harder to miss during these services.


For Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, there was a burgundy cloth draped over it. After the darkness of those services, it was beautiful to come in the sanctuary Sunday morning and see the burgundy cloth replaced with a white one. It reinforced the message of new life through Christ's resurrection.


I enjoyed Easter lunch with good friends at my house and was grateful not to be getting in the car or trying to catch a flight back.

Faithfulness

Last weekend, I went to a Priscilla Shirer conference. I have done one of her studies and one where she collaborated with Beth Moore and Kay Arthur, both were great, but I feel like hearing her message in person was even better.

One day I'm going to look back at this time in my life and see how all the pieces fit together, but right now I'm just getting a few glimpses here and there, enough to keep me moving ahead. And her message was exactly what I needed to hear even if it doesn't make anything else clearer to me. 

Priscilla taught from Judges about Gideon when God comes and commissions him to go and lead the people against the Midianites. One of the points of her message is that God showed up when Gideon was faithfully doing what he needed to do in the midst of crisis. As the Midianites invaded, Gideon was finding a way to thrash the wheat. It was harder because he had to hide and thrash the wheat in less than ideal circumstances. But it was there as Gideon remained faithful in crisis that God showed up.

I don't always like the place that I'm in or the things I have to do in this time, but I was challenged in believing that this is where God shows up and that what He has for me now is preparing me for what is to come.

God also commissions Gideon to be a leader for the people against the Midianites in this passage. And while Gideon doesn't see himself any differently, God sees a warrior — not the same man that he was before.

Over the last week I've been challenged to be faithful in what God has for me right now, but also to let go of the hindrances that would prevent me from following God's commission for what's next. Priscilla's point was also that the burden is not on us: When we do what we can, God is there to do what we can't.

I attended the Maundy Thursday service at my church here, a really beautiful service. And I was reminded of the assurance that God has given the ultimate sacrifice that I might have life with Him, even though I'm going to fail every day.

As all the other things in life swirl around me, I'm praying that I can truly focus on the Cross this weekend and the gift of grace we have been given in Jesus' sacrifice.

Easter weekend

Easter is one of those holidays that can be hard to go home for, but it's one of my favorites to be there for. I never made it back home for Easter during college, but once I graduated and moved closer to home I started going back for Easter even when it meant driving in after work on Saturday night or working from my parents' house on Easter. 

I figured it would be a stretch now that I'm further from home, but when I found out my office was closed for Good Friday, I decided to take off two extra days and drive home for the weekend. It was a long trip, but totally worth it to start off Easter Sunday with this:

(Photo courtesy of my sister)

And I have to say the rest of the weekend was pretty great as well. I got to see family I don't see very often, have dinner with a friend from high school, hang out with my brother and sister, and enjoy some wonderful time outside in the gorgeous weather biking and hiking.

I also got to indulge in Sonic a few times, one of the things I've missed since moving. It also made 16 hours in the car a little more bearable.

My mom also provided some inspiration in the kitchen with the amazing meals she served all weekend, including Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup, Pioneer Woman's Mashed Potatoes and my favorite broccoli casserole, all of which I intend to make sometime soon.


I'm exhausted from the road trip today and need to work on getting my life at home back in order. At least I only have four work days this week!