Easter Reflection

I've been so reflective this Easter. I imagine it's because of all the stuff that this past year has brought me through. There's been so many times I've wanted to just throw in the towel and give up, yet despite my iniquities and inadequacy, Jesus STILL is there for me each and every time. When life seemed bleak, when my eyes were swollen with tears, and the pain in my heart seemed unbearable, Jesus Christ was the only one to walk me through it and help me see that life will be ok.

When I think about His Last Supper with His best friends the disciples, I'm reminded that just as He provided comfort and security to them, preparing a table for them and making sure that each one felt loved before He left, Jesus makes sure that *I* am loved and comforted, preparing a banquet table for *me* in Heaven.

As He went to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, He was communicating to the Father how much He loved *me* and how desperately He wanted to be in line with the will of God the Father. He was then arrested, graciously accepting humility and pain for me. He hung there on the cross, and for a brief moment was seperated from that everlasting love that His Father provided so that He could take on ALL OF MY SINS... before He even knew me.... 2007 years ago. I am literally brought to tears (as Stephanie knows!) at the thought of such a wonderful Savior. Thank GOD for our Risen Savior and that we serve a God... a JESUS... that cares so much about me individually to die an undeserving death on the cross. I am not perfect. I mess up all the time and even do the wrong thing when I know what the right thing is to do. But I'm here to say that JESUS is the ONE TRUE GOD who hears my weak voice among the crowd, and just like a sheep who's lost his way, the Shepherd ALWAYS finds his sheep. Jesus ALWAYS finds me and brings be back close to Him. Not Mohammed, not Allah, not Budda, not nature... but JESUS is the one who has provided me with comfort when I felt scared, direction when I was lost, healing when I was sick, and miracles upon miracles to prove He is alive and well in my life. If you don't know the Jesus I'm talking about, ask me about Him, because everything I've mentioned that He's done for me, He'll do for you, too. It's a promise. I've endured so much in my life, and I'm so, so, so thankful this year for another day to be alive with the security of knowing that when I die, I will be with my Jesus forever in eternity. And the best thing is that all I had to do was ask Him! He's promised to never leave me or forsake me (and Lord knows people here on earth leave and forsake us all the time!). I am blessed.... truly, truly blessed to be alive with Jesus now in my heart and life because of His death on the cross and ascension into Heaven.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter! May you all personally experience the unending love that Jesus Christ gives freely to everyone!