Easter Morning Joy

 

  The crowd's noise drew me to the window. As I peered out, I saw Jesus struggling to walk with his cross. He looked nothing like the man I had heard preach. He had been filled with light, love, and life. Did he glance my way? I wanted to reach out to help, but I felt fearful and imprisoned behind the window. Later that day, I heard he died.

 Early Sunday morning, a bright light shone through the window. I heard a voice say, "You are no longer a prisoner. Fear has no power over you. I have risen. Believe, and you will be free." His outstretched hand reached for me. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me into His Light. I felt renewed!

 I believe in His Resurrection! Today, I will rejoice and tell the world, "Jesus, my Lord and Savior, has saved me from sin and death! I am filled with His Light, His love, and His Life! My life is now changed forever!" Yesterday, I was a prisoner of my fears; He has set me free today. What a glorious new day! I will leave my old ways behind and walk in His Light! Alleluia! 

-Susan

Encountering The Cross- Mary's Cross

 

  Mary stood at the foot of the cross.  She had no idea how she was standing because she couldn't feel her legs. The pain in her heart was so intense she could not feel anything else.  It was agonizing to be there, but this was where she needed to be. She wanted her love to cut through the mocking, the laughter, and the cruelty. Her love for her son was greater at that moment than ever before.

  Mary watched Jesus struggle to breathe.  She closely watched his chest rise with each breath.  She wanted him to keep breathing, but she knew each breath only prolonged his pain. The thought of him not breathing was unimaginable, but so was this entire scene.

 His breaths became further apart. Then Mary heard Jesus cry, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."  His head dropped to his chest, and His chest was still. Mary could feel in her heart that Jesus had left this world. Mary's heart burned with pain.  It was getting harder for her to breathe. The ground beneath her feet began to shake. Her eyes could not focus through her tears. "My son, my beautiful son," were the only words she could speak.

  The pain was so intense that her legs could no longer support her. She felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her to keep her from falling to the ground. As those around her supported her, Mary remembered Jesus' promise, "Mother, on the third day, I will rise." This promise gave Mary the strength to endure this unbearable suffering because Mary knew she could trust God's Plan.

-Susan

Encountering The Cross (Week 6)

 

  Maggie was old. Her feet moved very slowly, and her arthritic hands could barely pick up her cross. She knew her cross well, but lately, it seemed it was an uphill climb. After a short rest, she picked up her cross again. An old church song came to mind, and she quietly sang the sweet melody as she scuttled along. This song took her back to her childhood days filled with love. Most of her family had passed now, but she still remembered the laughter of family dinners and the example of her parent's faith.

  Inch by painful inch, Maggie continued to make progress. She was pretty sure her days of carrying this cross were almost over. She was almost at the summit, but physical exhaustion forced her to stop. She turned to look around. Maggie smiled and said to herself, "My, it is all so beautiful from here. I wonder why it is so hard to see while you are climbing?" Overcome with exhaustion and emotion, Maggie set her cross down for the last time and laid down next to it. As her eyes closed, she felt a hand on her shoulder and a beautiful voice.

  "Maggie, you did it!" Jesus announced. "You carried your cross like a good and faithful servant. Leave it here. You don't have to carry it anymore!" Jesus bent down and cradled Maggie in His arms, "I'm going to carry it for you." As Jesus carried her the last couple of steps, He whispered, "You're home now." Jesus set Maggie down in front of the most beautiful door she had ever seen. Maggie's legs felt youthful and strong as she watched Jesus place her cross into the keyhole.  It was a perfect fit! As the door opened, Maggie smiled widely. It was more beautiful than she had ever imagined! 

  "Welcome home, Maggie!  You are going to love it here!"

-Susan

Encountering The Cross (Week Five)

 

  Jeremy walked down the church's central aisle, genuflected, and then sat down in his usual pew. He kept his eyes on the crucifix behind the altar. Nervously, his knee shook up and down. For weeks, he had felt God calling him to donate his time, money, and business expertise to build an apartment building for low-income families. Since he owned his own contracting company, he had the knowledge, contacts, and equipment to donate. It was possible, but it would be an enormous undertaking.

 "God," Jeremy began, "I know you want this, but I don't know if I could handle it. I would have to fund it with a lot of my profits. If I did this, would I be rewarded somehow?" Jeremy's knee continued to bounce nervously up and down. He unzipped his coat as he began to feel uncomfortably warm. "God, this would take so much of my time. Don't I deserve to have some time to enjoy life? I know this is a good cause, but is there someone else? Why are you asking me to carry this cross? Is this to repay for some of my past mistakes? Will this level the playing field for me?" 

 Jeremy thought about all the things he would have to sacrifice. "What if I just did part of the job? Maybe you could find someone else to help out. I could do fifty percent of the job, and someone else could finish." Jeremy let out an audible sigh. He reflected on this scenario and how it could work. As he thought, he began to scowl. "Well, I could do closer to twenty-five to thirty percent of the job, and you could find two other people to help out. Or maybe I could consult about the job. I could give them some helpful advice. That would work better for me. There are plenty of other people who could help as well." Jeremy felt pleased with the last thought. Consulting, if they need it. Yes, that could definitely work. Jeremy quickly made the sign of the cross and walked out of the church feeling twenty pounds lighter. As he walked out the doors, he thought, "That was a good talk."

 "Jeremy, Jeremy, come on back," God urged. "I listened to you, but you didn't give me a chance to respond."

 John, the church's patron saint, heard God's plea: "He might come back, Father. It would be a difficult cross for him."

 God nodded. "Yes, I know. Without him, the center will not be built for many years."

 "Maybe he will realize that the cross isn't a bargaining tool.  It is the tool that humbles a soul and keeps them on the path of holiness.

 God smiled at John and said, "Perhaps he will hear My voice again when his fears quiet down."

-Susan  

Encountering The Cross (Week Four)

 

   Lying in her hospital bed, Gina wondered how she could take care of herself again. The accident had left her with multiple broken bones. The doctors told her it would be a long recovery. Her days were filled with doctors, nurses, and therapists around the clock. At night, she was exhausted but never too tired to pray. "Lord, I know you know what you are doing, but I can't carry this cross alone. It's too much. I need help."

 After several weeks in the hospital, the staff was amazed at her progress and began arranging for Gina to transition to a rehabilitation facility. She was looking over the pamphlets one afternoon when she received a wonderful surprise. Her sister from Denver walked into the room. "Lucy, what are you doing here?" Gina exclaimed.

 "I'm here to help. I've come to take care of you," Lucy announced.

 "What about Mike and the kids?"

 "Listen, don't worry about them. I've been working on this since your accident. I wanted to tell you when I had everything arranged. My boss is letting me take time off to take care of you. I will stay until you can function on your own again."

 Gina just smiled. Her prayer had been answered.

 Twenty-five years later, Gina found herself at the entrance of heaven. She was filled with peace and love as Jesus approached and embraced her. "Welcome home, child," Jesus said with a smile. Gina and Jesus talked for a long time about her life. Some moments were uncomfortable, but mostly, it was simply wonderful. How Jesus described her life was so different from how Gina saw it.

 "Jesus, I'm so surprised you saw my accident as one of the highlights of my life. I thought it was the lowest. I was in such bad shape that I kept begging you to help me. I knew my prayer was being answered when Lucy announced she was staying to help me. She was such a blessing. Thank you for answering my prayer."

 Jesus smiled. "Gina, I wasn't answering just your prayer." Jesus handed Gina a list. I also answered the prayer requests of all those praying for you. 

 Gina looked over the list. She had no idea that many people had been praying for her. "I'm a bit overwhelmed with this list, Jesus. There are so many names I don't even recognize."

 "Some belong to your church, some are friends of your relatives, your niece Sophie led her whole class in prayer, and some are the sufferings people have offered up. The power of prayer is really underestimated. It does more for a person's body and soul than you could imagine. The doctor's amazement in your recovery was justified. You could have never recovered that quickly on your own. You cried out for help and trusted My Plan. You completely opened yourself up to My graces. That is why I consider this a pivotal moment in your life. You let me take over."

 Gina looked lovingly at Jesus and said, "Letting You take over was the best decision I ever made." 

Jesus' smile grew wider. "I have to agree."

Gina thought about her accident and her difficult recovery. "Jesus, am I the only person to misunderstand the beauty of my cross?"

"Gina, there are very few people who do."

-Susan

    

Encountering The Cross (Week Three)

 

  Maggie had the opportunity to get away to her favorite coastal resort. She loved it here. It was peaceful and quiet, and the scenery was breathtaking. Her husband and children would join her tomorrow, so today was all hers. She followed the walking path along the beach coast. The sun was shining, and the squeal of the seagulls was just slightly louder than the lapsing waves on the shore. "What a beautiful day," Maggie thought to herself.

 As Maggie continued to walk, she began praying. She reflected on her life with her family. She thanked God for all her blessings. All her hard work and planning were paying off. And although her life was not perfect, it was good. Her life was filled with love. Her children were doing well in their studies, and her husband was recently promoted.

 The walking path began to veer away from the water, and she started a slow uphill climb over the bluffs. Halfway up her climb, she stopped when she noticed a large cross in the middle of the path. "That's odd," she thought. "Why is this here?" 

It was then that she heard Jesus speak. "Maggie, this cross is here for you."

 "For me? What do you mean?" Maggie asked.

 "Maggie, I have enjoyed all our moments of prayer together. You have come a long way, and I plan to take you to new heights."

 Maggie smiled, "You do?"

 Jesus returned the smile. "Yes, I have something special in mind for you. Here, take my hand, and I will show you." Jesus led Maggie away from the walking path, through a meadow, and then stopped abruptly. "I would like you to begin walking this new path. Some people really need your help. They will lean heavily on you, relying on your strength."

 Maggie looked at this new "path." Her first thought was, "Where did this mountain come from? I'm sorry, Jesus, but I don't understand. Where is the path?"

 "Well, it's not an obvious or an easy one. You would have to trust me completely. I will carefully guide your steps so you don't fall."

 "I could fall?" Maggie gasped in disbelief.

 "Only if you tried to forge your own way. If you train yourself to listen to My voice, your hardships will all be bearable."

 Maggie looked at the mountain. She had no idea how she would climb this. "Jesus, what about my family?"

 "Oh, I want you to bring them, too."

 "You want me to lead my family up a treacherous mountain to a place I can't see, all while enduring hardships and caring for people I have never met before? And I will not be in control?" Maggie was flabbergasted and scared.

 "Yes!" Jesus said.

 Maggie looked at the mountain. She thought about how pleasant everything was in her life right now. "Jesus, my life is so blessed now; why would I want to change everything?" 

 "Because I believe you could become something more."

 Maggie grew very nervous and anxious. She knew this new path would change everything. She loved her life. Everything was going so well. "Jesus." she began, "Do I have a choice?"

 "Of course," Jesus answered. "How close you follow My Plans is always up to you."

 Maggie looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry, Jesus, I can't do this. I'm good with all the blessings I have right now. I'm not looking to be challenged. I want to enjoy what I have." Maggie turned away from the mountain, ran through the meadow, and found her walking path along the bluffs. She continued her walk along the bluffs. She felt sure she had made the right choice, but she was completely unaware that her spiritual life would plateau at this height.

 Jesus watched Maggie walk away. He then turned his eyes toward the mountain. Jesus saw what Maggie could not. Had Maggie chosen this path, it would have been not easy, but in the end, it led to Rome, where she would have been a canonized saint.

-Susan