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The cross is empty; the tomb is empty. He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!
I’m so thankful for our church. The Easter worship was glorious. Christ the Lord is Risen today is one of my favorite hymns and our music ministry did a wonderful rendition. I’m thankful for our pastor. His teaching from Matthew 27 and 28 on grasping the power of the resurrection affirmed what I’ve been hearing from God. It was good.
And yet …
Some expectations were not met.
Some desires were not reality.
Some traditions were not duplicated.
Meditating on the third day these last several weeks has been so positive. I’m responding to the resurrection narrative with deeper trust and greater peace.
AND …
I allowed a few un-importants and comparisons to taint my celebration.
“One person esteems one day as better than another,
while another esteems all days alike …”
Romans 14:5
I’m the “one”; Bill is the “another”. This verse describes our marriage.
In my family of origin, Easter was the same as Thanksgiving and Christmas — a time when our large extended family came together. This extrovert loved the chaos of all the aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins, grandmas and grandpas celebrating together.
My introvert husband grew up in the tradition of holy days being quiet days, a time to kick back and maybe invite one maiden aunt in for dinner.
In Romans 14, Paul is addressing gray areas and the oft misplaced attitudes of the church in Rome whose congregation was half Jewish and half gentile. He exhorts the church to “not to quarrel over opinions.” Romans 14:1. And to remember that God has welcomed the entire church. Romans 14:3. While the scriptures were not written to me, they are written for me.
I was allowing gray areas to shine too brightly; the un-importants affecting the importants.
“for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
(or certain family celebrations)
but of righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17, parentheses mine
“So then let us pursue
what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.”
Romans 14:19
God cares deeply about how we relate. Even those gray areas that can put a stumbling block in the way of another need to be worked through.
And true confession, sometimes bringing my yuck into the light is not a one and done. Will you pray for me that I will believe truth, not let gray areas trip me up, and that I’d remember to walk in love … which always builds up?
How can I be praying for you?
Copyright, Sue Tell, April 2023
Love your honesty and love how welcoming your table is. Would love to be around your table!
Hi Karen,
You know I’ve learned that vulnerability opens doors to ministry. So I aim to welcome through vulnerability. Thank you for noticing.
I would love for you and Jim to be guests at our table! Are you heading to Colorado anytime soon?
How was Easter for you. And how is Melissa doing?
Bill and I have never celebrated Easter. In fact, historically, we’ve often been traveling – or, at least – doing a birding day trip. But this year I was more adamant about, and he was more supportive of, me attending church on Easter. What a special time that church service was.
So glad you were able to worship in community. Easter usually is a special service.
Good to hear from you.
Easter is the high point in human history. If He had not risen, we would be hopeless. BUT He did rise and show death the door. Our hope is grounded in the goodness, mercy, grace, and power of God.
Amen Brent!
And thank you for coming by. I’m honored that you’d read Echoes and more honored even that you took time to comment.
Hello to Marie!
Celebrations change as seasons change and families get spread out. I savor the Easter celebrations of my youth with all the cousins but can’t replicate them.
May He give us grace for transitions and hearts to worship in new ways. Love your table. So inviting!
Hi Marilyn,
And you’d think I’d have this figured out by now! Thank you for your words. We need each other.
Hi, Sue. I am constantly amused–well, sometimes amused and sometimes annoyed–that we can be married a long, long time (50 years for me and Bob) and yet not know fully everything about our
spouse . Every marriage is a cross-cultural marriage, as we each come with our family’s expectations and traditions.
We learn from those dear spouses that we are each unique in our likes and desires. But He calls us to “love one another” and He models that for us. May we be willing to continue to learn from each other.
Have a blessed Resurrection Season.
Hi Patricia,
We’re at 50 years too. Still learning and still loving. God is so gracious.
I learned that the book I referenced in the letter I sent out is authored by a gal who was involved in IVCF as a student at the U of I.