This Day

Good Friday...last year on this day, Bethany & Brandon watched our kids (during a tornado, mind you) while Jason and I went to watch The Passion with Amy and Nate at Fellowship. For some reason, last Easter weekend was the realest experience I have ever had of what Christ did for me. I remember thinking to myself, "Why have I never truly gotten the gravity and breadth of what Jesus did for me? For us?" And I felt a little guilty. But that was quickly followed by God's grace reminding me that my journey with Him is just that...a journey. And that the closer I draw to Him, the more He reveals about Himself and His love for me.

And then there is today...Good Friday...one year later. Some things are the same: My parents are coming to watch the kids tonight so we can go spend time with Amy & Nate. But for obvious reasons, this year is different. And my experience of Easter and what Christ did is, yet again, different. It's not that He changes, or what He did for us changes, but it's that He has continued to change me...to mold my heart....to again, make His death and resurrection even more real, even more amazing.

Today, many years ago, was the worst day in human history. Satan thought the battle was his. But then God took this day - the worst in human history - and made it the BEST day in human history three days later.

Thank you Lord we can call you REDEEMER! Thank you that, in light of our family's recent worst day in our personal human experience, you bridged the gap between our sinfulness and Your glory...creating a place where we can worship and dwell with you FOREVER! Thus though we experience immense pain, we can - with confidence - take heart because you have overcome this world.

"Oh praise the One who paid my debt,

and raised this life up from the dead!"