He is Risen!

One of my favorite hymns as a child growing up in church, was "Up from the Grave He Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay)". My Uncle Mike used to lead worship, and I can still hear his voice in my head as he sang it so beautifully. My favorite part of the song was the refrain. The song quickly went from solemn to boisterous and exciting! As a kid, I didn't even really realize exactly what the song meant, but that feeling it gave me helps me understand its meaning much more as I've grown in Christ.

My life has been full of sad, discouraging disappointments this past year. While I have clung to the blessings through those times, it doesn't mean that I haven't questioned what has happened or wondered if I'd done anything to deserve it. It's just being human I think, and after getting some grief counseling, I realized that it's okay to feel those normal feelings most people feel when they experience loss. The main thing is that you can't stay there. You have to feel, assess, assess, and feel, and eventually, you have to move on from those things that cause you great pain. It doesn't mean you can't remember (because face it, no one can forget), but it does mean you have to keep it healthy and see joy in a different way. As trying as life can be, I've learned just how vital having a positive outlook is, and soaking up precious time with those who matter most and doing things that make a difference are what really matters at the end of each day. I remember my counselor telling me in every session that no one is perfect. I have always beat myself up mentally and emotionally for things I've said, done, or ways that I've felt. I think being hard on yourself is something that sort of runs in my family. I know my brother, Mitch, is that way too. Now, I tell myself that often.

That brings me back to the song. We serve a RISEN LORD! I don't think I often get excited enough about that. He was there, He was dead, and then, "Up from the grave He arose!" No matter how I wish things were one way or another, or how upsetting life can be, God is not only here with me, He is waiting for me to rise up from the grave one day too. Then and only then, life will be PERFECT, and so will I.

1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, 

waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! 

Refrain: 

Up from the grave he arose; 

with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; 

he arose a victor from the dark domain, 

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. 

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! 

2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, 

vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! 

(Refrain) 

3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; 

he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! 

(Refrain) 

Avery's School Egg Hunt...

Easter Weekend, 2016

dying crazy eggs...

Good Friday...

Easter pictures before the rain...

Peter Cottontail stopped by...

 

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

And then there's this...

This picture is significant and special to me. Essentially, it was the beginning of Dad's fight with cancer. He would find out soon after he returned from NYC that he had it. Also, it was the day of Avery's 2nd heart surgery, and she was fighting for her life. This was Dad when he was still completely himself. It's how I like to remember him. 

It doesn't seem like just a coincidence to me that the 1 year anniversary of Dad's death is today, Resurrection Sunday. I think we needed that extra reminder that our Lord conquered death, and in that, so did my dad. More than anything, I also know all that pain I hate to remember him going through is GONE. As much as I miss him, I'm so very grateful for my peace and the hope I have in Jesus. I know in my heart I'll see him again! ❤️😇

#supersid #cancersux #resurrectionsunday #conquereddeath #NYC