4/20/2019: I's been FIVE years since I originally wrote this post for Easter. But the message is still the same five years later, and I expect it will always be this way...the closer I get to heaven...the more excited I get...because of what Jesus did for us on Calvary...but especially because of what He did for us on Easter morning...When He came out of the tomb...victorious over death, and ensuring for all believers LIFE EVERLASTING!! Praise God!!!! Please read on...
I originally wrote this post for Easter 2014. A lot has changed in our lives since then* (For the update on this please click on this link, written 5/25/2014), but even though our son has since passed on to heaven, (May 25, 2014) nothing has really changed in how I view Easter. It is even more significant and precious to me now, knowing that I have a son waiting for me in heaven someday.
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| Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Stained Glass Window-First Presbyterian Church, Ocala, FL. |
I originally wrote this post for Easter 2014. A lot has changed in our lives since then* (For the update on this please click on this link, written 5/25/2014), but even though our son has since passed on to heaven, (May 25, 2014) nothing has really changed in how I view Easter. It is even more significant and precious to me now, knowing that I have a son waiting for me in heaven someday.
What Easter Means To Me
(Originally written 4/18/2014)
Because I have a precious son standing on the
threshold of heaven’s gate, Easter has a lot more significance to me this year.
Fouryears ago we received some shocking news regarding our son...a diagnosis so
grim that it struck fear into our hearts and caused us to ask, "Why Lord?
What good could possibly come from this assault on our son's body? We didn't know what kind of plan God had...and as a mother, to be honest, I truly did
not want to see our son go through all the suffering and pain of fighting the
formidable foe of cancer. It just didn't seem fair. But don't stop
reading here...
On the
day after the crucifixion, Jesus' mother and his disciples were hiding and
afraid. They did not understand what was happening, even though Christ had
tried over and over again to tell them what was going to take place, but their
hearts were broken, their eyes were still blinded by doubt and confusion, and
they just couldn't see how anything good could come out of His death.
They did not realize that God had a plan…
On Easter
morning all of God’s creation was waiting...waiting for the Easter
sunrise...waiting for God to show them the next part of His plan…not realizing
that they would soon hear an angel proclaim the astounding message,
"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not
here, but is risen!"
(Luke 24:5-6)
The angel
reminded the disciples of what Christ had taught them about His death and
resurrection, and then “they remembered His words…”
Perhaps
they then remembered what Jesus told them in John14:19~
“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more,
but you will see Me.
Because I live, you will live also.”
And then His words all began to make
sense…both to His disciples…and also to me. When Christ said “It is finished”
as He died on the cross, death became a conquered foe. That was not the end of
the story, but the beginning. When (and if) my son loses his earthly battle
against this vicious cancer, that will not be the end of his story, but the
beginning. As he passes over that threshold, heaven’s gate will open wide to
receive him joyfully. Isaiah 25:8 says,
“Death is swallowed up in victory!” “O
Death, where is your sting? O death, where is your victory?” (I Corinthians 15:55)
Since “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), I can stare
death in the face and not be afraid of saying goodbye to my son when the time comes. Because of
Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, my son will also live. And so will I.
And so will you.
And that’s what Easter
means to me.
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| Our son Matthew, just a few months before he entered heaven's portals |
I just found this video of a very special Easter song, "He's Alive!" by Don Francisco, which is sung from the perspective of the Apostle Peter. I think you may appreciate it. I remember singing this song back in the late 70's... "He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are open wide! He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive!" Hallelujah! That is what Easter is all about!!!
Pamela, there is such a new depth and raw honesty in your recent writing. I guess that the moments of facing terrible hardship will do that. Your words and your faith are having a huge impact on me...and others I am sure. Blessings, dear Pam, we love you. Susie
ReplyDeleteYour words mean so much to me right now at this moment. Thank you. The word "impact"...very interesting...because this past Tuesday I presented the devotional for our staff meeting on that very same word, discussing what kind of "impact" we have on others...whether good or bad...it may be the subject of an upcoming blog post, because we ALL have a huge impact on others even when we don't think others may be paying any attention. And YOU have had such a positive impact on me over the past several years that we've known each other. Such a blessing to have your presence in my life! (even if it is from across the continent!) Thank you for being here and looking deeply within. May you and yours have a blessed and peaceful and joyous Easter!
DeleteYou know how God gives me people to pray for daily? You, your son and the whole family have been on my heart a great deal in the last month. I keep praying that this home-going will be a profound witness to all those who know your son, who read your blog, who have any kind of contact with you. That, even now, He will be glorified through all of you. But also that there will be sweetness and an overwhelming peace. This post speaks to that. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me great comfort to know that there are wonderful people out there praying for our family during this time...and to know that you are one of them means so much. I love how God has brought us together through this medium of "cyberspace". We are all a part of God's family...and distance is of no consequence to Him. Thank you for your prayers, words of hope and encouragement. I know we have all been linked together for a purpose. Yes, may He be glorified. Amen.
DeleteI love the song by Don Francisco; it's powerful.
ReplyDeleteAs a mom myself, I feel your pain, Pamela. But I can also feel your faith in our God coming through your post. Thank you for sharing with us. Your son may indeed 'go home' before you but you know you will be reunited with him. Praise God for the hope of resurrection we have through faith in our Lord Jesus. He has made a way for us who believe and trust in Him. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all and have a Blessed Easter, dear sister.
Hugs,
Sandi
Thank you Sandi. I am so comforted to have this big family of friends in Christ...wonderful people whom I've never met here on earth...and yet we have been knit together in Him for a purpose...to inspire, encourage, and comfort one another. Your prayers mean so much to me. I do know that God is with us...and He will continue to be no matter what. May you and yours have a blessed Easter as well. Thank you for stopping by today.
DeletePamela: I am playing catch up here. I was checking on my column site and I suddenly thought of you. This is a beautiful entry. God has been with you during this time. My Sunday school teacher used to sing "He's Alive." The ending was always memorable. He lost his range in his voice and chooses not to sing it anymore. Iwill come back and listen when I have more time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will get a chance to listen again. I understand about the "lost his range in his voice". I am there now too, and don't sing very often anymore, except by myself in the car listening to the radio or in the shower. That particular song made quite an impact on me and so many back during its day. Still doing so today, because "He's Alive!" Praise God! Thank you for stopping by. I am a bit behind also. Sometimes it's all I can do to keep up with everyday life and not much time to do the reading and writing I want to do. I guess that happens to all of us from time to time. Hope you are having a blessed day.
DeleteBeautiful this year, last year and always.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terra! I see this message was from last year's posting...and I am just now seeing it! Happy Easter my friend
DeletePam, Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. Without Easter, things would be absolutely miserable. I remember the song, "He's Alive" by Don Francisco--it would have appeared when I was in early elementary school. It occasionally runs through my brain.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you Kim! Gee, that would put you about the same age as my kids! I am glad that you remember that song from such an early age. Yes, without Easter we would have no reason to hope! Praise God, "He's Alive!"
DeleteOh, yes, Pamela, what you've written here is precisely what Easter is all about. We are forgiven of our sins on the cross, and guaranteed life eternal with Jesus in His resurrection!
ReplyDeleteMay your Easter be filled with joy and blessings!
Oh, Pam, thank you for sharing this again! I'm listening to "He's Alive" as I type. What amazing hope we have when we have Jesus as our Savior. I recall something that I think D. L. Moody stated: "One day you'll read that D. L. Moody is dead. Don't believe a word of it. I'll be more alive than ever." Easter give us amazing hope for an eternity that matters. Another thought: for Christians it's never really "good-bye" it's "see you later".
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter! He's Alive!!!
"He's Alive" by Don Francisco (who is from Colorado, by the way) -- love the song. He recorded several songs I appreciate so much as encouragement to my soul.
ReplyDeleteOh Pamela, so beautiful! I love that photo of your son in the woods looking at the light! How wonderful is the peace that passes all understanding knowing your son is with Jesus now and that you will see Jesus and be reunited with your son again. That song by Don Francisco is always a song that brings goose bumps and so are the words by the angel. He is not here. He is risen! Thank God He defeated death for us and made a way for us to our Father.
ReplyDeletePam, thank you for sharing this beautiful and meaningful post again. What awesome and amazing hope we have when we have a personal relationship with Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is ALIVE and that because He died and rose again that we no longer have to fear death because Jesus set us free!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!