Easter's past memories are pointing forward!

Though I don't remember grandma Ramse ever sharing, I think she would say that Easter was her favorite holiday. She loved it when we visited the farm over Easter and would spend days preparing before our arrival. 

I wanted to share some sweet memories of Easter's past and how they point forward to Christ's second coming and the joy we can experience now and as we look forward. 

My uncle Ben was part of a cantata that was made up of members of the surrounding community. They would sing on Friday evening and I remember several times, sitting in the old high school gym listening to their singing. They would sing the hymns that were a part of Good Friday with different participants reading portions of scripture in between songs. 

After the cantata, there was coffee and baked goods and a time for visiting. I loved being near my dad and my uncle Ben (uncle David as well when they were home) as they would share memories of their school days; their teachers and peers. 

Easter morning was special. Even if the sun was not shining and times it was wet and cold, I could feel joy because of the meaning of Christ's resurrection and the excitement coming from my family. 

My grandparents were always up early! Grandpa would go down to his office and have his morning devotions while grandma was banging pots and pans in the kitchen. I think she was getting the coffee ready which apparently could be a noisy job! ;)

Some Easters, we would have breakfast at the house and several, we had breakfast at the church. The youth group would serve breakfast to raise funds. My grandparents loved opportunities to visit with neighbors and friends. Even though my grandpa struggled to hear from all of the background noise, it did not stop him from engaging in conversation with those around him. 

I remember one Easter where grandma and I attended a sunrise service. I remember being cold, sitting by my grandma as we listened to the pastor and as the sun came peeking over the horizon. 

My grandma's favorite color was lavendar and as mom and I were getting ready downstairs, grandma would come down as her dresses were stored ine the basement closet. She always wore purple on Easter. When my grandma Aasboe came for Easter, she and I would sleep together in that bedroom. I enjoyed the times getting ready for church with both of my grandmas and my mom. 

I think my favorite part of the service is when we finished by singing, Christ the Lord is risen today. There was such joy as I sang and heard all of the voices around me worshipping and praising God for his indescribable gift!

After the service and more visiting, we would head back to the farm for dinner (big lunch!) which included roasted ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas or some other vegetable, a jello salad with fruit inside and marshmallows and of course, a dessert. 

Grandma would hide our 'Easter baskets' that was made up of candy in Promise margerine containers around the farm along with some eggs and we would wander (or run) around to find the sweet treasures. I remember dad helping by saying 'hot' and 'cold' as we ran around the yard. 

Throughout all of the activities, we were constantly reminded of why we celebrated Easter; the fact that Christ gave up his life, died and rose to life on Easter morning to save us from our sins. I would say our lives were infused with the gospel message every time we were at our grandparents (also at home and at my grandma Aasboe's as well), but especially during Easter. 

It is easy to get caught up with sweet memories of the past, yet, I am reminded that there are still sweet Easter's to come. As Christians, we are to live each day as Easter and continue to be lights in our little gardens that God has given us to tend. 

In James 5:7-8, James writes, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Christ will return. God knows the time and the hour. We can look forward with joy even in the midst of the hard as we know that God keeps his promises and continues to be faithful in and throughout our lives to bring about his glory. 

I will leave you with the precious hymn, Christ the Lord is risen today and hope that the promise of Christ's second coming gives you joy today!