Hope Exists
“Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen!”
Luke 24:5 (NASB)
We as a family sat in the darkened room watching the pictures of my dad roll one right after another. How is it possible that 90 years passed so quickly? The memories were palatable. We were immediately transported back to the places and times of our lives with our dad. Love and grief flowed interchangeably like rivers. How we missed him. How short life felt. We watched him and my mother courageously accept a life of debilitating Parkinson’s for the past 15 years. My mom, his caregiver. My dad, slowing releasing his control over his body and mind. They, however, were both walking with a quiet trust in the God who loves them.
Less than two months later, we watched the service of my mother-in-law, my husband’s mom, my kids beloved grandmother. The pictures rolled again of a beautiful life, well lived. It was less than a year ago when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She bravely chose not to pursue aggressive treatment, not wanting to feel sick with the limited time she had - knowing that her days were already held in the palm of God’s loving Hand. Person after person described how she loved with the love of Jesus and the difference she made in their lives. We grieved as we were so grateful for her life.
It is Easter Sunday, and we know the story. But let us not be too familiar with the miracle of this day. Let us remember the full story. Before we rejoice is Jesus’ resurrection, we see the women show up early at the tomb – prepared to continue to give reverence and honor the body of their Lord. Though Jesus often spoke of His resurrection and the hope of victory over death, I can only imagine the hearts and minds of the women whom only two short days previously witnessed the horrendous torture and death of Jesus whom they deeply loved. I do not think the thought that He was not going to be in tomb even passed through their minds. Maybe. But all we know is that they wanted to be near Jesus.
We wanted to be near my dad one more day.
We wanted to be with my husband’s mom one more time.
Then through the grief, the women at the tomb were amazed at the men in glory in front of the rolled away stone, the account in Luke tells us. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Yes, of course! Jesus is alive! He has risen as He has promised. Grief turns to joy. Mourning turns to anticipation. The miracle of Easter is not just in the bodily resurrection of Jesus, though that is more than enough to convince us of an omnipotent God. The miracle of Easter is that God, in His immeasurable love, has lavishly given us the same hope. Death is not the end of our story. Our bodies may decay and, in this life, succumb to an earthly, physical death, but as we watched the story of my dad and my mother-in-law’s life and their trust in the Risen Jesus, grief turned to joy; mourning to hope. We were not looking for them here anymore, though their absence was deeply felt. We were reminded they are living the hope of Easter, right now. And their hope is our hope. Because Jesus called them by name in this life, Jesus welcomed them to their eternal home. Whole. Perfect. Present with the Father.
Drink deeply the hope of Easter today. Know that the burdens of this imperfect world are nothing in comparison to the hope that awaits. My dad and mom-in-law would shout a resounding “yes” right now. We are called to be Easter people, with our feet on this earth and our hearts longing for heaven. We are called to pray for the stones of our lives to be rolled away but when they are not, hope exists in the resurrected Jesus for this life and the next.
Mary Quillin is a city-girl-turned-country-girl in her new life in North Dakota. She has been married to her hubby for more than 20 years and has 3 wonderfully different teenagers who are driving and she asks for your prayers.
After many years in full time ministry, Mary is learning how to show up and daily discover the journey of being available for whatever Jesus leads her to. She recently graduated with her Master's in Special Education and is investing in students as a "second half" career. She also spends her days trying to build a welcoming shabby chic farmhouse in the heartland while discovering the joys of vegetable gardens, raising hens, and North Dakota sunsets.