Beautiful Words. Beautiful Hope!

“He is not here. He is risen.” What beautiful, beautiful words!! The words that are the foundation of my faith. Without Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, there would be no hope. No hope of forgiveness. No hope of redemption. No hope of eternal life. No hope of Heaven. NO HOPE! Without the truth of these beautiful words, my life would be without meaning. I would have no reason to keep going day, after day, after day. No reason to trudge through the heartache and pain of this life.

I’ll admit that on several occasions since Greg’s death, I have not felt like keeping on keeping on. Sometimes I feel like all is hopeless. I’ve had one of my children say to me, “I feel like everything is pointless now.” I have also felt this way. “Nothing even matters anymore.” But, I remind my children and myself that there IS a point…..we DO still have a purpose. In fact, our purpose has not changed…..to live a life that brings glory to God. And because of the words, “He is not here. He is risen,” we do have hope! Hope of forgiveness. Hope of redemption. Hope of eternal life. Hope of Heaven. And it’s not just a hope like, “I hope I win the lottery.” But it’s a sure hope, a certain hope, a hope that doesn’t fail or disappoint!

Easter Sunday is a day that is all about hope. A day about renewal. A day about new beginnings. A day about new life! This year, Easter Sunday is also the six month mark of the day that Greg left our earthly family and entered into the presence of our Heavenly Father. What a bittersweet day this is for me. Bitter because of the heartache and the void that I still feel every single day. But sweet, because I am reminded that on the day Jesus rose from the dead….death was defeated! Death was conquered! Jesus is bigger, stronger, more powerful than even death! And because of this, death is not the end of Greg’s story either. Or mine. Or Katie’s. Or Emilie’s. Or Jacob’s. Because we each have accepted the Hope that His death and resurrection has provided. Because of Him, we will all die, but it won’t be the end for us. Really it’s just the beginning of a great and glorious never-ending life with our Jesus! This life….it’s temporary, but Greg is more alive today than he’s ever been!!

I am thankful for the Lord’s mercy in having the six month anniversary of Greg’s death fall on Easter Sunday. Just a gentle reminder that He knows my heart and His mercies are new every day. Because of what we remember and celebrate on Easter Sunday, my Hope is renewed. My Hope is certain. My Hope is sure. “He is not here. He is risen!” Beautiful words, indeed!

Trusting His Plan,
Sandra