Post Easter Thoughts

In the Northwest, the day was cold and bleak weather-wise. The message of the services was totally other, Praise God.

"It all started in the dark despair of a dead and mangled body, mourned by a few brave souls and hastily planted in a borrowed tomb..women perfumed oils in hand came to that tomb with heavy hearts; they left with hearts on Fire. They came slowly, cautiously; they left running...They came in search of Jesus of Nazareth; they ran from the tomb with news of Christ the Lord...." So, in part, preached Father Ryan of St. James Cathedral, Seattle.

In our own humble fellowship the young teacher of the adult class, brilliantly presented a composite of the scriptural account of our Lord's last days, burial and resurrection as given in the Gospels. Being overcome by the emotion of it all he could not complete his closing prayer. After a time as his tearful pause continued, others collectively said "Amen".

That's the beauty and power of the Easter Message. Gloomy weather outside mattered not.
Hearts provided the true reflection.

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Following services, the family gathered in part - (we are always sad that there are those far away with other responsibilities) at the cottage home of Daughter # 2. As a family, we are so very blessed. Speaking with the Patriarch on the way home it was concluded that if all members were stirred together and boiled down, there would not be enough cranky distilled to form a single mean-spirited person.

Perfect? Hardly! Diverse? Totally. There is high decibel noise, tides of laughter, all manner of teasing and craziness. But the over arching banner is Love. There is the common love of the Heavenly Father yes, but there is family love also spread on very thickly indeed.

While we are all together there is so much to delight in. Yet, when the festivities wind down and leave taking begins, there is a feeling of loss, of wishing somehow for continuance.

Perhaps that is why Eternity is such a lovely word.

"If 'everlasting' were not written over the joys of Heaven, we would be trembling lest the banquet should have an end, lest the day should have an evening."

That is why the longings, I think. We are still 'missing' while here in the Shadowlands as here we have no continuing city. But by the longings, the missing, we are being prepared for the Glorious Unendings to come.

This mom is so very grateful that in That Day, all her chicks will be gathered with her There!

There can be no greater comfort.

Such a great Hope sustains while on pilgrimage.

All Glory to God!