Where are the dead?

 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

 Luke 24:1-5

New International Version

When my husband and I were on vacation earlier this month, I made him stop at every old cemetery we passed. And we passed a lot of them. I wish I could admit that I don’t know why I find old cemeteries so fascinating, but I do know why I can’t pass up a single one. The old headstones are beautiful, and the really old ones which are broken or crumbling break my heart. Even more heart breaking are the stories each grave holds.

 These are just a few.

And as I read each headstone and imagine the life that led to this burial place, I hope and pray that buried there is only the person’s earthly body. My wish is that every one of them has been saved and now rests in the eternal arms of their Savior. I pray that within all of these cemeteries I visit that there are no dead. That they are alive in heaven.  

Lord Jesus, thank You for the sacrifice You made on Good Friday. Thank You for Your resurrection. Without it, we could only fear death; now we can know the joy of eternal life. Amen.

Winter is on its way.

 

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. Matthew 27:45



It’s hard to believe that only a week ago, the view out my back door was stunning.  The reds and yellows bathed my yard in color, practically glowing.

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 All it took were a few dreary windy days for the leaves to fall to the ground.

Before I know it there will be snow on that ground. I used to love winter, but those days seem to be gone. I hole up in my house when it is cold out and I just don’t play in the snow like I used to. But I have spring to look forward to.

In just five or six short months, the snow will be melted and my trees will be budding out again. Life will return to my backyard.

It reminds me of Good Friday. The cold, the darkness. But Easter Sunday arrived and the sun (the Son) broke out and covered the land, bringing life to all who believed.

Lord, thank you for the many seasons of our lives. Help me to remember that no season will last forever and that warm days will return. And that someday I will be living in the endless season of life in heaven. Amen