Sunday, April 5, 2015

Easter Sunrise ~ when the sun doesn't shine

Hi friend!

Happy Easter!

This year hubby and I decided to do things a little bit different for our Easter celebration. It's been pretty low key the last few years for a variety of reasons. This year we wanted to start a few new traditions.

We changed things up by going to our church's Saturday evening Easter service. (Yes, I'm pretty sure Jesus is ok with us celebrating Easter on Saturday. So now, don't judge)

Due to our different church's schedules we haven't gotten together with family on Easter in quite a few years. Since we went to church last night, I'm now able to cook dinner (turkey is in the oven) and have mom over for Easter dinner early this afternoon.

Also, it allows us to do something I've wanted to do for years - go to an Easter sunrise service. So, we decided that this year we'd to go to Kyle's bench (the cemetery) to watch the sunrise, read the account of the empty tomb on that first Easter morning and thank Jesus for the hope we have of one day seeing our son again.

 
 
Yesterday, on my way to work there was a beautiful sunrise. A big bright orange ball of sunshine rising in the eastern sky and making the line of clouds that hung above the horizon and over the tree tops glow with yellow, orange and a bit of pink. I couldn't wait for today to see this from the tranquil and open view we'd have at Kyle's bench.
 
This morning we got up early, fed the dog, got dressed, grabbed the camera and Bible and walked outside to a cool morning and .....
 
.... a sky full of clouds. Huh?! Didn't see that coming.
 
 
 
As we made the short drive to the cemetery, I couldn't help but watch the sky for any sign of the clouds breaking. I also sent up a silent prayer for the Lord to please push the clouds away so I could have my special Easter sunrise.
 
I also began thinking about Jesus' followers. How were they feeling on that first Sunday morning after that horrible day when Jesus died?
 
Did they see only dark and cloudy skies ahead?
 
Did they wonder if the sun would ever shine again?
 
Grief can do that to you. It can make even the sunniest day with zero percent of rain feel dark and like storm clouds are gathering and the threat of rain is imminent.
 
But there is hope.... there is always hope when you know Jesus.
 
 
 
Even in the midst of death and grief you can still believe.......
.... the sun (and the Son) is there....
.... yes, it is (He is), even if you can't see it.
 
 
This morning I read the Easter story, hubby prayed and thanked Jesus for His sacrifice. And we waited for the sun.
 
 
 
Finally, the clouds parted a bit. There was even a touch of gold around their edges.
 
Definitely not as glorious as yesterday's sunrise.  And that's really ok. 
 
It was still a very special time......
.... to think about the sacrifice God made by sending His Son to die on the cross
.... to ponder Jesus' great love for each of us
.... to praise Him for making a way for us to one day live with Him in heaven
.... to rejoice in the knowledge that we will be reunited with our son again one day
 
 
"At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus. They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words."  Luke 24:1-8(MSG)
 
Love ya,

6 comments:

  1. Happy Easter Debbie. Miss you.

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    1. Miss you, too! Hope you and your family had a blessed and Happy Easter!

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  2. The two of you are amazing..

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  3. What a great tradition. We went to the cemetery after church to just remember, too. What would we do without the Hope that is in us. xoxo

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    1. Yes, it's His grace and faithfulness that gets us through those rough days. Without the HOPE of seeing our kiddos / grandkiddos again what would we ever do? {{HUGS}} to you my friend.

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