Easter When It's Fashionable

Today, as my family and I were traveling through the nearly- square state of Iowa, my family and I encountered a reminder that making ones belt too tight and restrictive can lead to one being very cross.

You might read that and think, "Oh! A lymphatic therapist discussing a lack of circulation again." Nope. This goes far deeper than matters of the body (though we have established that matters of the heart have a HUGE affect on matters of the body). This goes to the very heart of life in this world today- compromise.

John 13:35-38

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

As we pulled into the Caseys there in St. Charles, Iowa, I was struck by the incredible beauty of the stained glass windows in the former St. Charles Parish. So much love, dedication, creativity, and ability went into that blessed building that is now the town visitor's center. "I wish we could get some pictures." I exclaimed before heading into the convenience store with my three beautiful daughters. They were good great kids in the store, yet hubby noticed disparaging glances at us from the locals in the store. They apparently took one look at hubby and I being publicly affectionate and the next look at our obviously mixed family and made their judgements. It was the Sunday after Easter- the week after the celebration of Yeshua HaMashiach performing the most impossible miracle of all time (beating death) and they were giving condemning looks. Mercifully I did not see the looks, but Im sure they must have been descendents from the looks people gave Lazarus for begging in the streets or, dare I say, Christ eating with tax collectors.

I'm sure the point is pretty clear, so I leave you with the words of the very reason anyone has a church in town and has a standard of morality.... "He who does no wrong may cast the first stone." If you can match the perfection of the spotless lamb, why did Christ die? And if you don't believe in religious stuff, at least consider this. Isn't your life worth more than to spend your time being angry and dark in your heart and mind over what someone else chooses to do?

I love you all. Have an excellent day.