I know this is late, but it was supposed to be posted on Easter, but my wifi connectivity was low- and it didn't post.
5,4,3,2,1.... music blasts in my ears, the few hundred people in the room rise from their seats and sing along with the band; raising their hands in praise of our Father- Easter Sunday at Chesterfield Woods of the Nazarene has just begun. An amazing celebration; a miraculous event- MY favorite holiday of the year... EASTER <3
We all know the story of Easter; but what does that change in YOU? The story of Easter is one of my favorite stories in the Bible to read- and to teach to the kids in our Sunday school and my own family. I think it is astounding how a man that has been torched, beaten and almost unable to walk can carry a cross up a hill. This brings me back to a movie- The Passion of Christ. This movie is probably the most gruesome movie i have ever watched but it is definitely the most touching movie I've seen. I'll be honest- i have only watched it 2 times in my life- because it makes my stomach turn. It is the only rated R movie i have ever seen and it made me bawl my eyes out. If you've never seen it- i definitely recommend it. It's the only movie i have ever seen that really portrays the brutal blood bath Jesus had to encounter.
I was thinking about my day when i got ready for bed tonight and i was thinking about what a non- christian/not believer did on Easter. What did i do when i was little and had two parents who didn't have anything to do with God? I got up early to see if the Easter bunny had eaten my carrots and i searched for eggs around our house. I went to the mall and got my picture with the Easter bunny and i went to my aunts house for her famous Easter dinners. But while i was enjoying my time having fun- i never knew until i was 12 what Easter was all about.
When i look back at my childhood, i feel disappointed in the fact that most of it didn't include God. It didn't include any of the values or knowledge i have gained from church. My mom was born into a Catholic family, went to a Catholic school but neglected her religion and God when she turned 18. My dad was Episcopalian, i have honestly no prior knowledge of what that religion is like but when my dad got out of the Army, he seemed to forget everything he learned.
So i grew up faithless. I had to find my own way to God. When i was 8 i remember my best friend Sarah Burns. Her family was Baptist and one morning she came over and asked if i wanted to go to church with her. I remember jumping to the opportunity because my mom had been very angry that day and i wanted to get out of there. When i got to church, it was uncomfortable, but i enjoyed my time and returned with her for the next following months, still never hearing the story of Easter. It was later on in the year when i found a Lutheran church that was walking distance from my house to attend. This church opened my eyes to how wonderful God was. I remember when we would get a new Bible verse to memorize for the week i would come home and share it with my parents- i don't think they truly ever listened- but i told myself they did. The Lutheran church was so much fun, but it came to a time where the church was being shut down. I was devastated. It took me a few months to start looking for another church- and i did. A protestant church. That was the last church i attended in Oakland County because we had to move- and by this time i still hadn't heard the story of Easter.
That's when i moved to Chesterfield. It didn't take long before i started attending the Woods with the Robinson's. I remember vividly the day when i learned the story of Easter. I was in 6th grade..... and it was the day everything in my life took a turn for the better. I was in awe of what happened. That day was the deciding factor for me that my faith was going to sky rocket. It took me a little while but on July 1st of that year i committed my life to God all over again and vowed to live the best Christian life possible. So that's how i became the person i am today.
I don't know if it's the cool colors of the eggs or the message in the sermons. But- Easter has, is, and always will be my favorite holiday.
He has risen- and i am so blessed to know the story of Easter out of all the years missing out. My prayers for the non faithful families is that they would see what they are missing.
I know that when i heard the story of Easter something inside of me changed. I want every non believer to experience that- because it is amazingggg.
I'm going to stop writing and go enjoy the day my Savior has given me.
HE IS ALIVE!<3
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