“We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world.”
Barbara Johnson
It’s Easter Weekend, and I’d like to share some reflections on Good Friday, if I may.
7:15 am, Friday, March 29, 2024
It’s Friday morning. Good Friday. Usually, I block out the afternoon to focus on the day’s events and watch The Passion. But somehow, this year, I completely forgot to block out my calendar to save those precious hours for alone time with the Lord.
As you probably know, if you’ve been around me for any length of time, I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but something about Good Friday causes me to stop and ponder things I’ve done well and things I haven’t managed as well as I would have liked. It might be reflections of a good steward and how I don’t always hold myself as accountable as I’d like. I think about being a good sister to my surviving male siblings, one of whom has been estranged for several years, or to my sister, who’s already gone home to be with the Lord.
I reflect on my success at mothering my two amazing daughters, who, despite many adversities, have achieved more than I ever could have imagined and surpassed all my hopes and expectations ~ and they’re both under 30 years old! What about being an auntie to my nieces and nephews, two of whom I have outlived? Did I serve them well? Is there still a chance I can be a good listener or sounding board to those who remain? Are they interested in a relationship, or would they prefer to leave things in the cool in between, which has become our extended family pattern?
1:10 pm, Friday, March 29, 2024
There are other things I’d like to be doing better. Am I a good witness? Songs keep rolling through my head as I prepare for the day. They’re all beautiful songs about the Cross. I seem to settle on The Wonderful Cross, the Chris Tomlin version. The lyrics of which caused me to be curious about all these things.
The Wonderful Cross
When I survey the wondrous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain, I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Oh, the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
Oh, the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross
All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
6:25 pm, Friday, March 29, 2024
I think it is essential to stay curious about yourself, about myself, concerning where I need to up my game, and where my focus is. How can I be better at this process of humanity? What can I do to add a little more love to this world of chaos and confusion? And how do I accurately convey the love the Father has for us to those around me.
I found this quote that I especially treasure:
Here are a few more:
“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf in springtime.” Martin Luther
“No pain, no palm, no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; and no cross, no crown.” William Penn
“Easter is a time when God turned the inevitability of death into the invincibility of life.” Craig D. Lounsbrough
“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” Fulton J. Sheen
“As Man alone, Jesus could not have saved us; as God alone, He would not; Incarnate, He could and did.” Malcolm Muggeridge
As horrible as that day was and is, remembering and reflecting with awe and reverence is a means of coming to terms with our humanness. We each have our issues and concerns, but the price was paid according to our beliefs. It’s good to think of those things from time to time, but the redeeming part happened on Sunday.
Tomorrow, we celebrate new beginnings. We remember the past transgressions and the price that was paid and look forward to a time of extreme gratitude for the chance to be better. And, after all, we can accept that as we surrender, our troubles will take their proper place, and our blessings will come in abundance if we allow ourselves to receive the love offered.
Collectively, let’s echo ~ He is Risen Indeed!
Easter Blessings to you and those important to you!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
Comments by lucinda