Scripture Standout: Colossians 3: "1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
John 20: " 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Morning thoughts: I had a nice run this morning, just before sunrise. Several churches in our neighborhood — including the fabulous All Saints — were open, lit and preparing for 7 a.m. Sunrise Easter services. It is a sweet time of the day, sunrise. It's a wonderful time for reflection and quiet and letting all of those pesky, broken record player thoughts dance out of my head.
"Stay with me, remain here with me," were the words that stuck once all the meaningless chatter floated far, far away. I started implementing the words into a chant. With each pant in the first part, with each breath out the last part. Inhale — "stay with me." Exhale — "remain here with me." Pad, pad, pad, pad, pad. Scuff. Scuff (I don't pick my feet up enough, and am constantly scuffing — near tripping many mornings) Inhale — "Stay with me" exhale — "remain here with me." Those are such sad words considering the story of how Jesus begged his disciples to stay up for just an hour the evening before he was taken away. "Stay with me, remain here with me." And they didn't. They slept.
But this morning, those words mean something else: an invitation to continue a relationship. I've definitely felt closer to God during the past few weeks. Morning prayer, silence and trying to read and understand daily scripture has helped establish a better friendship and partnership. I want to stay in this place. I want to remain in this relationship. I want to continue the connection. This I decided during mile three of my glorious sunrise run.
The great thing? That connection is ALWAYS there. We just need to be cognizant of it, and embrace it. I love this story of poor Mary. She's devastated to discover that Jesus' body is missing from the tomb. Dang, she breaks into tears and freaks out! When she pulls herself together enough to peak in the tomb a little more, she sees two angels. Can you imagine! But that's not enough for Mary. She sees these angels, and yet she still weeps and sniffs and snuffs and worries — she is losing it! Boy can I relate! Then she turns around and, wow — low and behold there is Jesus. Right there, saying, "Awww, hey Mary — it's OK, I'm right here." And what does poor, little, freaking out Mary do? Does she run to him and receive his comfort? Nope, not our overwrought, distressed little Mary. She looks at Jesus —"and doesn't realize it's Jesus."
That probably happens to me daily. God probably puts lots of angels in my path and reveals himself in small ways that I never even see. But I am committed to having better vision — to being present and aware and open to a relationship that "sets my mind on things above — not on earthly things." Happy Easter!
The Deed/The Day: Entertaining is a deed, and we had a lovely bit of it today with David's dad, my brother- and sister-in-law and their kids and of course, Grandaddy. There is great joy in inviting friends and family over for a meal or an event (I have a doozie planned for the royal wedding on Friday morning — come if you dare! It begins at 4 a.m.! Champagne is chilling already!). Turn it around for a minute. How awesome is it to go into someone's home and be served? What a relief is it when someone says —
"don't bring a thing. Just bring yourself." Isn't it grand when your glass is filled, your plates are piled high and removed — and cleaned. I think parties should be about the people there — not the details. I like to make a fuss about little frills and as much as the next person. But I do that so I can focus on who's in my home. I want to be present — not frazzled. That is always my goal. It is hard work, but isn't that how it should be? Entertaining is an act of service. And there's no better day to entertain and be service-minded than on this beautiful day.
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