My Easter Blessing

A few weeks ago we received a postcard in the mail announcing an Easter sunrise service at a lake about a mile from our house.  I read it and knew I wanted to go.  I mentioned it to Matthew at dinner a few night's later.  After some discussion about having little ones and maybe this not being the year that we all go, it was decided that I would go and maybe Braewyn if she felt like getting up that early.

Easter morning came and I got up and showered.  Braewyn was "too sleepy" so she stayed in bed.  I know now why I was meant to go alone.

Getting out of my car in the parking lot of the lake park, the sky was still dark and there was a little drizzle.  I walked along the sidewalk toward the covered picnic shelter.  A group of 50-75 people were gathering but I didn't know if I would know anyone.  This service was being put on by a smaller church in town, not the church we attend.  The spirit of God was there and I felt like part of the early church, the believers who met in groups to worship the Lord Jesus in the months and years after He had died and risen to life again.

I walked up to the crowd and stood beside a woman.  She turned and I recognized her!  Diane and her husband David, who was standing next to her, used to attend our church.  We said hello and that it was good to see each other again.  I told her that my parents had brought us as kids to early sunrise services and with this being the first Easter since Dad had died, I wanted to come to be close to him.  She said they knew he had passed away and had actually known him from being in Sunday School a few years ago.  It was so comforting to hear her say that.  She then said, "I know he would be so proud knowing you are here today."  I couldn't help but have tears fill my eyes.

When the service was beginning, David and Diane unfolded the chairs they had brought and set them down.  Diane said to have a seat but I politely tried to decline.  I had walked up in a sweater carrying only my Bible not even considering the seating arrangements or weather.  They insisted and so Diane and I sat in the two chairs.  A few minutes later the drizzle turned into a heavier rain shower. David handed me the one umbrella they had.  He and his wife both had on rain jackets with hoods.  Again I resisted.  He looked at me and kindly but sternly said, "It's raining. Take the umbrella."  Thanking him, I took the umbrella.

For about an hour during that rainy, cold sunrise service, I again had the love of a strong and healthy mother and father.  It was just a chair and just an umbrella, but it was more.  Jesus showed Himself to me through the loving words and actions of this man and woman.

Jesus sees you.  He loves you.  He knows just what you need just when you need it.  And He often gives it without even being asked.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18

Makes me think of the sea of Galilee.