Ok, so it's official... My grass did not die over the winter!!! Much like a hibernating bear, it is content to lie dormant for months at a time without causing the slightest disturbance, then BAM, it rises from it's slumber and sets out to make up for lost time. As much as I hate the thought of mowing the grass, I 'LOVE' the smell of the first spring mowing, don't you? I had my windows down on the way to my dad's house Friday afternoon when I caught the first whiff of freshly cut grass. It was 72 degrees outside and the sunshine combined with the newly released aroma was almost enough to convince me that I had found paradise. I love Spring!
This week, I watched the Bradford Pears bloom and saw the daffodils popping up along the sides of the interstate, but as I was enjoying the first days of Spring, my mind kept going back to one thing... Easter. He is risen!
I don't think it's a coincidence that Easter falls in the Spring. Jesus had died and left his family, friends, and followers reeling in the wake of his brutal murder. They were disappointed. They expected a coronation, not a crucifixion. But they had seen it with their own eyes. He was dead. All hope was lost. All their confidence was crushed. They believed, but they must have been wrong. Then, all of a sudden, on the third day, their despair turned into delight and their overshadowing fear was replaced with outrageous faith when they heard the words of the angel, "fear not, for he is risen". Could it be true? Was there still a chance that he really was God's son? The Messiah? The King? Yes! The Resurrection proved once and for all that he was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The winter was dark and cold, but when life came bursting forth on that beautiful spring morning, hope was born again. All the hope this world will ever need was released when the angel rolled the stone away to show the world that Jesus was alive.
Falling leaves are no indication that the tree is dead. The grass may not have grown for months, but don't put your lawn mower on ebay just yet. Hope may seem dim, but it's not lost.It's as real as the resurrection! Jesus is alive and death has forever been defeated by our conquering King! Praise his name forever... He is risen!
