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I’m struggling here…I just am.  It’s almost Easter.  Not only that, but it’s an “even” year!  “So what?”, you might say.

Well, let me explain.  We have it worked out with the in-laws that we have all of the kids and grandkids over on the even years for holidays.  Then, the in-laws have them on the odd years.  It’s an even year!  My house is supposed to be packed with people this Sunday…my kids and grandkids everywhere!

And it’s Easter y’all!!!  I have been looking forward to this since Christmas.  We usually cover our yard with colorful Easter Eggs for my grandchildren.  My kids always pick one of the grandkids to assist in their search for the eggs.  We lay out a spread for dinner.  And then, my husband goes over the Resurrection Eggs with the younger ones.

And this is after Sunrise Service, Sunday School and an awesome Easter message and music at church.

My house should be filled

But this year…no Sunrise Service.  No beautiful music or Sunday School. There will be no pretty Easter dresses or families dressed alike for pictures.

No house filled with my kids and grandkids.  No yard filled with colorful eggs.  I doubt I will be cooking that incredible dinner.  And, my grandkids will not be on the front porch listening to my husband explain the gospel using the Resurrection Eggs.

There will be little to none of the celebration that comes with one of the most important days of the year.

This makes me sad.

Is He enough

Now is a time to find out, is Jesus really enough? 

Don’t get me wrong.  I completely understand that we still have it made.  We are not walking miles to go to church while our lives are at risk for doing so.  We all have pretty good health.  While we are not rich, we have enough.  We are blessed.  Truly. Understand that I am not in any way comparing this to a real suffering situation.  Not at all. I know this.

But still, the fact is, I’m struggling.

My happy-mommy-meter

You see, I love going to church.  The celebration of Easter is particularly meaningful.  Often my entire family is at church with me…and that’s a site to see! It fills my happy-mommy-meter to overflowing!

I love having my family over for any reason.  But for Easter, that’s one of my favorites.  I love hiding the eggs in all of the beautiful flowers that are blooming.  There’s nothing better than to see your grandkids sprinting across the yard and the sheer delight on their faces when they finally spy the eggs.  I love watching my husband and grandkids exploring the Resurrection Eggs.  But at this point, there will be none of that.

Remember the Resurrection

So, I’m wondering.

Without all the fanfare, how will we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord?  What will we do?  Is the fact that He died and rose again to take our sins away enough?  Even if we don’t get to have our family pictures taken in our color coordinated garb?

It certainly should be.

I may be the only one, but I find myself convicted at this point.  I’m wondering if I’ve missed the whole point of the day.  Am I concentrating more on the celebration than the crucifixion?  Should I not remember His love for me over everything else? And just what that love cost Him?

And what about the fact that He rose on the third day? Should I not remember the resurrection?

1 Corinthians 15:3-4(NIVUK)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

After all, that is what this day of celebration is about…the sacrificial crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Friday is a day of heartbreak for us as we remember what our sin has cost our Lord.  Saturday we are waiting…a day in suspension…where would we be if He had not risen?  And then Sunday, glorious Sunday, we find the tomb is empty, our Lord is alive.  We are forgiven and have eternal life.

Yes, this is what I need to concentrate on this week.  This is what Easter is about.

It is not about the sunrise service. It is not about colorful eggs, chocolate, or lots of food. As much as I hate to admit it, it’s not even about family.

Easter is about Jesus!

He is enough

Now, I see no problem with the Easter traditions that we have. None at all.  And family is SO important!!  I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love my family.  Still, I don’t want to forget what Christ has done for me.  No, I never want to forget that.  It’s just too important.

And yes, He is enough.

So, I don’t know.  Maybe this year, without all the extra fluff, we can concentrate more on the things Christ has done for us. Maybe we can stay focused on His sacrificial work on the cross.

That’s what I will be working on this week.

But still, I’m not gonna lie.   

I’m struggling.