Early in the Morning...

"Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  -John 20:29 Easter is my favorite holiday and not because of candy bunnies and dying eggs, but the feeling of waking early in the morning,  The light just peeking through the freshly lit budding trees, the soft green dew covered grass, the feeling of newness and hope after a dead winter. I think of the day that Jesus was crucified, I have heard the story many times...beaten, whipped, carried the cross he was to be hung on,  hands, feet, and side pierced.  What would it have been like to be there that day.  Some mocking with laughter, some weeping for their friend, their brother.  Some feeling hopeless maybe?  Confused, was the son of God now here to die?  Jesus had wept for days, knowing what was coming.  He was human, He felt great sadness, mourning for us.   Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You" -John 17:1 The punishment of our sin, poured upon Him,  The cry from the cross, "It is finished!" What a powerful time it must have been when darkness fell at noon day, the veil of the temple torn.  The earth shaking.  I know how I feel with every little aftershock, but to have darkness fall at mid day.  Did some of the mockers fall in repentance, did some hopeless now feel a bit of God's power and peek hope again? He had told them, you will sorrow, but it will surely be turned to great Joy! So many questions, This story would be so gloomy if it was not for this day. Mary waking early in the morning to go to where her Lord was buried.  An empty tomb,  of course it would only make sense to us that someone had removed Him.  To conquer death is not in our understanding. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  -John 16:33 Even those who walked with Him, had not understood as He told them over and over,  I will go to my Father, I will not be with you forever, but I will return to you"...   Our simple little minds, yet created in the image of an everlasting powerful creator and Father.   We sit and try to understand these great things, but God says "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe." "O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." SO take some time and sit and think of the Love that was poured out for you and enjoy the newness of this lovely spring Easter Day! Here are some of our Easter blessings already this year, Resurrection gardens, and new little baby Chicks :) Happy Easter Everyone!!