Happy Easter, my friends

I wish I were home in Murphys right now.
I wish I were standing at the side of my daughters grave, with a crowd of people around, dressed in their finest or their warmest, draped in blankets, with fuzzy hats pulled down over their eyes and babies swaddled to the point where you can't tell who is who. Easter hats and cowboy hats, mingling together for one sole purpose.

I wish I could hear the quiet murmur of voices, as we wait in anticipation for Pastor Gary to begin the service and then those same quiet, murmuring voices raised in praise as the sun peaks over the mountain and through the trees - showing us his promise.
I want to be with my loved ones, standing there anticipating the gift of what Jesus promised to us.


The first Easter after my daughter died... well, that was one of the hardest I had ever gone through, but it was at the same time, one of the most joyous and heartfelt ones of all.
Because I had the promise that my daughter - and later on, my son - would be returned to me.
They, just like Jesus, will arise... and we will spend eternity together.

Jesus died for us... and in return, in my humble and faltering way, I try and live each day for him.

I fail to live up to my expectations most of the time, but I hope in the deepest part of my heart that Jesus will appreciate the effort, if not necessarily the results!

I'm a failure.
I'm weak.
I make mistakes and don't live up to my own expectations, let alone anyone elses..

But on this day, more so than at any other day or time of the year, I have no doubt that Jesus loves me in spite of it all.

Thank you Jesus, for the greatest gift of all.
Thank you for giving yourself, so we all might live and know glory in Gods Holy Kingdom.

"I asked Jesus ... "How much do you love me "
And Jesus said ... "This much."
Then He stretched out His arms and died."