Signs of New Life

Isn't it incredible how quickly it seems winter turned into spring? Just last month, I was wondering if I would ever be warm again. But the past few days, beginning Easter weekend, spring is sprung! The daffodils, the budding trees and flowers and green grass - such a beautiful, deep color! It is absolutely wonderful.

After Easter services were done, we headed home, got changed and went out for dinner - what a treat that was after a fantastic day of worship, and a powerful (and exhausting) week of services. How wonderful to celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. How appropriate it is to celebrate Easter in the spring. New life and new LIFE! 

We headed home and got to spend time on the back porch for the first time of the year. My daughter took a picture of me with my dog, Maggie, and her dog, Schroeder, on the porch couch at the end of the day. The caption read, "Christ is Risen. My Dad is not!"

The good news is that even when we are down, and feel like spring will never come, forever in the darkness of uncertainty, gloom and despair, the new day dawns. New life is ours. Today is a new day, and God reigns. Celebrate the victory.  

A poem I have used at several funerals during this season.

Easter Says

Easter says that day will follow night.

However dark and merciless the gloom,

The morning comes, the eastern skies are bright,

And daylight floods each corner of my room.

Easter says that spring will follow winter,

That chill and bareness last for just a while.

The iris blooms; the life-flow soon will enter

The maple trees; the greening world will smile.

Easter says that joy will follow sorrow;

For grief walks with us sometimes as we go.

But tears are for the night; joy comes tomorrow

And seems the brighter for the pain we know.

Easter says that life will follow death.

Jesus broke the grip of death!  He is alive!

And certain as the cemetery path,

Because Jesus lives, my spirit shall survive!

(Lois Blanchard Eades)

Peace,

Pastor Charlie