I woke up early this morning flooded with memories of an
Easter Sunday almost 30 years ago. I
felt compelled to share.
It was my senior year of high school. For years I had been asking my Dad to let me
go to Panama City, FL for spring break (like all of the ‘hip & cool’
kids). This year he said YES! The thing was, he included about 5 families
from church & switched it to Fort Walton.
Not exactly what I had in mind, but I’d take it.
The last day, Saturday, we were all on the beach soaking up
the sun and swimming in the surf. The
rip tides became incredibly strong and a precious friend’s husband was caught
in them. My sister and some friends were
in it as well, but they had a float.
Several men went to try and help, almost getting caught themselves. Finally, they managed to get everyone to the
beach. Bruce, however, could not be
revived.
The rest of the day was a blur. Mom & Dad helped do all that’s required
in a situation like this. Everyone
packed up and we headed back home late that evening. I rode with another family so Susan and her
baby boy could ride with my parents.
As we were pulling into the Atlanta area, the sun began to
rise. Our church was having a sunrise
service, and we arrived just after it had begun. Looking back, the timing was perfect. Everyone was already singing, so we could
slip in and find a spot without having to do any talking.
I sat next to Susan, and the song that was ringing out was
‘He’s risen, Hallelujah; He’s risen, Hallelujah; Hallelujah…’ Susan was on her feet. She threw her arms in the air, and with tears
streaming down her face, she worshipped the King of Kings and the Lord of
Lords.
As I teenager, I was incredibly impacted by her
response. She was doing what was in her
heart to do, and her heart was seeking and crying out to the One who could
bring her comfort and peace. Her whole
world had just been rocked, yet she still worshipped the Father with every
ounce of her being.
Little did I know that 11 years later, I would be the young
widow. My response was exactly the
same. Not because I was copying her, but
because I knew Jesus the way she knew Him, and there was no other response.
Do you know Jesus?
Have you asked Him to be Lord of your life? If not, simply ask and He will. He promises to do so, and I promise you’ll
never be the same again. “Ask, and it
will be given to you; see, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you.” Matthew 7:7
“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, Oh my soul; worship His holy name. Sing like never before, Oh my soul; I’ll
worship His holy name.” ~ Matt Redman
Have a wonderful Easter!
