Everyday Easter

It's easy to celebrate Easter when you're singing "Up From the Grave He Arose." That high F just seems to soar on a such a day of celebration: Friends are in their Sunday best, and little ones race toward the front of the sanctuary for Children's Time, girls twirling their fancy dresses and boys smoothing down their brand new shirts as the preacher tells the Good News, "Christ is risen! Hallelujah!"

And we rejoice, too. The somber message of Maundy Thursday and the darkness of Good Friday give way to Resurrection light.

But kind of like those new shoes we break out for Easter Sunday, life starts "rubbing" on us. And it causes discomfort - and maybe even blisters - as we plod along through worry and uncertainty and just plain living.

And it feels like darkness overtakes us. It doesn't feel much like Easter anymore.

Even though we're surrounded by things, we don't know where to look.

We're tired, and we just want to cry out and quit.

And that's when we can nestle into God's arms, arms that hold us as gently as a Grandma holds a sleeping baby on Easter Sunday afternoon.

Or as joyfully as a new mother coaxes out smiles.

Or a little child makes a new discovery - in tulips ...

... in new adventures like backyard swings ...

and yes, in the miracle of hands and little toes.

And that's when I need to open my eyes again to God's promises ... like the Son breaking through on a cloudy day and illuminating all the lines and wrinkles and details and paths of my life.

And even though I pack away the Easter tree eggs for another year ...

... I need to hold on to the Easter message and its beauty - all year 'round.

And just like at the center of the Easter lily, I can again find the 3 I should make my life's center - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and I remember Easter all over again.

***

Today I'm again participating in the Leap Into Spring Challenge with Project Alicia , Live and Love Outloud and Bumbles and Light. Today's theme is Easter/Eggs. Check out others' photos and thoughts by clicking on the links.

I'm also linked to Hear It On Sunday, Use It On Monday at Michelle's Graceful: Faith in the Everyday.