Easter as we know it consists of several things.  One, the honor to the Lord for giving up His son for our sins.  Two, the selflessness of Jesus as He gave up His own life and returned to sit at the right hand of the Father.  Three, family gathering.  Four, commercialism:  Easter candy, baskets, presents, decorations.  Five, fun for children:  hunting eggs, the Easter bunny, special (and sometimes elaborate) feasts, Easter programs in which to participate at church.

This year my kids are too old for the egg hunts, Easter basket surprises, and sitting on the Easter bunny’s lap for a holiday photo.  What they aren’t too old for is church.  One of my gifts this Easter is that my children are in church.  My son and his wife are with the in-laws.  My daughter is with the boyfriend, whose father is a pastor of a church nearby.  It’s not that I’m surprised that they are in church, but my son works out of town and sometimes out of state.  He doesn’t always make it to church services.  In my opinion, he especially needed the service this morning to renew his closeness to God.

My husband is recovering from dental surgery, so I’m home in case he needs me.  My decision was to watch church on television.  Yes, I have scoffed at such activity in the past.  But since I didn’t make it to church in person, I am grateful that there is indeed church on television.

One reason I’m grateful this Easter is because of an unexpected gift.  God spoke to me during the service I had waited several hours to hear.  There is a favorite pastor I like to listen to and watch.  I forgot what time his service appeared, so I went through two services waiting on his broadcast.  I was about to give up when I noticed that he was up next.

My unexpected gift was a release of tears, always a relief.   The pastor spoke of pain as a way for the Lord to reach us.  I have often reached out to others who were suffering in pain, hoping to reach them, hoping to relieve their burdens in whatever way I was capable.  I wanted them to know that the Lord is here through our pain.   But, of course, when it came to my own pain, even though I knew better…….I had begun to wonder if the Lord was here for me during my pain.  He assured me, through His wondrous ability to speak through another person, that He is indeed here for me through my pain.  It touched me.  I cried.  I recognized the unexpected Easter gift God sent to me.  Thank you, God, for touching me with your unexpected gift.  I should know better than to wonder, but it sure is nice to be reminded when I need that special touch to keep me going.

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