Happy Easter!

I am so grateful that we were about to celebrate Easter today. I am glad that my children know, the very important meaning of Easter. I believe some times that kids believe and understand it better, because their minds and lives are so full of hope and faith. I am grateful to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of a living Savior. I am grateful for the peace that comes from knowing the true Easter Story. As I read it in John 20, Matthew 27-28 ...I realized that it has always meant a lot to me, there have been so many of my family and loved ones who have already passed away from this life. I realized that the Savior suffered went through all the things He did because of His love for us. I hang on to my believe and testimony that I will be able to see them again someday, if I but strive to live the commandments of God. What a beautiful statement ..."He is Risen", it gives me great HOPE!

I personally know that He lives and truly understand what He did for me, because I have had to go through my own Gethsemane. There have been times in my life that I personally know ...I couldn't have made it through without the help of the Savior.  There have been times in my life also that I have prayed with my broken heart to know that He really lives and because of his atoning sacrifice, I can be forgiven of my sins and have the opportunity to start off anew. I believe all of us, will come to a point in our lives where we will have to face our own Gethsemane. When we do, we will find ourselves down on our knees, begging to know if these things are true or not!  Yes, Easter brings to me great Hope and Peace.

I liked this poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox...

In golden youth when seems the earth
A Summer-land of singing mirth,
When souls are glad and hearts are light,
And not a shadow lurks in sight,
We do not know it, but there lies
Somewhere veiled under evening skies
A garden which we all must see—
The garden of Gethsemane.

With joyous steps we go our ways,
Love lends a halo to our days;
Light sorrows sail like clouds afar,
We laugh, and say how strong we are.
We hurry on; and hurrying, go
Close to the border-land of woe,
That waits for you, and waits for me—
Forever waits Gethsemane.

Down shadowy lanes, across strange streams,
Bridged over by our broken dreams;
Behind the misty caps of years,
Beyond the great salt fount of tears,
The garden lies. Strive as you may,
You cannot miss it in your way.
All paths that have been, or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden’s gate;Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair
God pity those who can not say,
“Not mine but thine,” who only pray,
“Let this cup pass,” and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."  ~ Robert Flatt

"Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless."  ~ Charles M. Crowe

"Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness."  ~ Floyd W. Tomkins