Easter Stories

Decades ago, I spent every waking moment as a Real Estate Broker. “Full-time job” does not come close to explaining what is required. Those who doubt can ask my daughter. Although this occupation gave me the flexibility I needed as a single parent, there were untold numbers of times when the cost of this flexibility was pointed directly in her direction. I can only say that I’m sorry.

But today is Easter Sunday and I have a story to tell.

I remembered an Easter sermon from several years ago. The details are a bit sketchy, but I believe that it went something like this.

Captured on Video

I grew up in an age where it was possible to hide. No video cameras recorded your every act and no GPS tracking devices broadcast your location. A simpler time, perhaps.

Although we’ve made a lot of noise about privacy, we have adjusted to the normalization of ‘visibility’ which has become very prevalent.

This week, I read an article describing one person’s experience with video surveillance. The highlights are briefly described in the bullet points below. The full article is here.

Stop, Stoop, and Serve

 

 I read this quote from Donald Barnhouse, and it has been on my mind all week.

I am convinced that God stoops for each one of us. The evidence is clear. From a divine place to a human baby and from eternal life to death on a cross, God's love knows no bounds. We follow this example of grace when we stop, stoop, and serve others. 

Short Term vs Long Term

Think. 

Find one example that found you blown away when witnessing kindness bestowed on another person. Think about your reaction.

• Were you touched so deeply that you found your eyes watering? 
• Did you wonder, “Why isn’t it normal for the world and its people to be like this – all the time?”
• Do you remember a similar time when you made a difference for someone else?
• Remember a time when you might have, with the best of intentions, tried to make a difference but were rejected or manipulated. Did it leave a bitterness that proclaimed, “Never again!”? 
• Did you find yourself recalling a time when you could have acted kindly, you could have made a difference, and yet did not? 

Not Just About Me

As I work on this concept of hope, I’ve been coming across blogs, sermons, and discussions about hope everywhere. A reference to a similar situation; someone you know buys a new car and you suddenly notice that model at every intersection.

The basis for today was another HuffPost article. Please consider waiting to read the linked article until you're in a good place as it mixes great sorrow with a couple of impactful points that matter to us as we walk through this life.