Easter

Growing up, I never went to church. I didn't learn Bible stories or sing the sweet songs that sweet little children sing in sweet little classes.

But this sweet little girl talked to God. I ended each day, in my little twin bed, praying, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." And my "God blesses" included every family member right down to the dog.

I learned of baby Jesus in the Christmas Carols I sang with my sister. My heart was touched by "Away in a manger" and I understood how the Little Drummer Boy gave the very best gift. I loved the story of this special little baby Jesus, who came in love. But, I never knew the rest of the story.

The story of how He went from her womb...to a tomb. 
I didn't know about the Man the boy became. 
I didn't hear how He went to that tree...in Calvary...for me.

I never learned what went down in that little town. 
Nor did I hear about the thorny crown that He wore while being mocked and put down...whipped and beaten...never making a sound in his own defense.

And when we cried out for His blood...
he gave it willingly...
for you...
and me...
on that tree.

'Til morning dawned, and it dawned on us what we had done...we had killed God's Son. 
He really was the One! 
We thought it was over, 
and we wept..in gloom...at the tomb.

But just when regret was a threat to our sanity, 
for all of humanity
the story continued...into the grand finale.

This dead man, the one who had grown up among us, 
our friend and our brother, 
who lived and died...
walked out of the tomb, fully alive!

And it was then...when I heard this story and met the Man this baby had become...that I began to live.

No, the story doesn't end with sweet baby Jesus.

There are many stories in the world. So many beautiful stories about love, and heroes, and good winning against evil.
But this story...the story of the Man...who came, and loved, and healed, and lived against all odds...this story rises above all other stories, and has a life of its own.

And today, just the mention of His name still offends.

Even as a sweet baby, He offended our sensibilities. One leader set out to kill him, killing every child just to try and make sure Jesus didn't grow up...and become the Man.
Because he knew...just like we do...and he feared Him...just like us.

People talk about "Sweet Baby Jesus". We aren't that bothered by the story of the baby in the manger...we still sing the Carols, never looking beyond the baby...and the fa la las...to the Cross.

But at Easter, well...this particular time of remembrance is not as easy to ignore.
So...determined...we try to cover up the brutality of His death by focusing on eggs...and chocolate bunnies...and baby chicks...isn't it funny?

No, not funny...just proof that the One who offended hundreds of years ago still has that same power.

Because He is alive. Today. And tomorrow.
He came for me. 
He lived to show me what living looks like.

See, a memory doesn't have that much power. A good story is quickly forgotten. A legend doesn't stir up this kind of emotion...and hate.

But Love...well, Love is the power.
Love...given to someone we deem undeserving.
Love...that chooses to remain silent in the face of all accusations.
Love...that touches the untouchables in a society lacking compassion.
Love...that loves both the hero and the villain.

Love...came in a little baby...and grew into a perfect man. Love lives on.

This kind of Love can never die. It will continue to be resurrected in the hearts and lives of each woman and man who chooses to accept it. And even amidst the distractions...and chocolate bunnies... the story continues...forever.

Happy Easter to you all!!!

i just wanna blog about it

it was just another regular rainy day. i went to safeway because i have been out of creamer and even tho i know how healthy coconut oil is, i want some damn cream in my one cup of coffee a day. but heres where things went all twilight zone on me. on the way home i realized that i had forgotten the freakin creamer. so i stopped at another discount market near my house to grab some but the expiration date was like tomorrow. i decided to continue on in search of another little store which i found in a couple of blocks. i had never been in this place plastered in beer and cigarette ads...but figured it would be an adventure. i really did have that thought as i walked inside. i held the door for a woman and man behind me, and she thanked me. i located the dairy section, finally, most of the refrigerated cases were filled with other beverages. sadly, their cream had the same date as the last place. i turned to leave not noticing the beer cases on the floor behind me that must have been waiting to be stocked...my foot caught on one and i was down...with beer cans rolling around me.

if you havent fallen as a 'mature' person, it is quite shocking how you dont bounce right back up like you used to. i felt many body parts screaming in pain. must have sat there about 30 seconds, which in this situation seems like an hour. i heard someone from the front of the store say, 'hey, i think someone just fell back there...' soon after he was by me, asking if i was ok. i said not really. he asked what happened. i said i'd tripped over those beer cases. he asked if i needed help up. at this point i recognized him as the guy with the woman i had held the door for. and next to me, with his back to me, was an asian man picking up beer cans.

i managed to stand, and as i made my way out of the store with my throbbing body parts i noticed the asian woman behind the counter staring at me, and the woman standing there as well.

in my car i notice i cant hold the steering wheel without excruciating pain in my left wrist. it began to swell in two places and ice wasn't helping.

hubby comes home and we are off for x-rays. but i am still in this outer limits dimension where nothing is 'normal'...we go to a little clinic here in this little town after hubby called to see if they could x-ray. they could, but not well. i guess the first 3 doses of radiation weren't enough...the gal who took them was 'learning' so a new gal had to take four more. it really didnt do much good tho, because nobody there could read them. so after they all consulted with each other, 'is it broken? i can't tell for sure' they decided to send the x-rays to a radiologist. meanwhile, they put my wrist (actually whole forearm and thumb) in a hard splint which took two of them arguing over it to accomplish.

they are supposed to call today or tomorrow with the x-ray findings from the radiologist. no, i did not make the return in a week appointment. if it is broken i will get some plaster of paris and make my own damn cast. i doubt it could be any worse.

so now you know why i'm typing with one hand. i am just glad i made it out of the alternative dimension alive. i would sure love a cup of coffee...but i still dont have any creamer.