Leading up to this important day and time of the year I started reflecting on what my view of Easter is and how it has changed over the years. Follow me as I recall my evolution on this and present it to you in a few words.
What does Easter really mean to you?
Easter is the man playing Jesus riding in on a donkey (to my 6 year old mind), To palm branches being waved and cheers from the congregation ringing out.
It is the steamy hot cross buns, the chocolately Easter eggs, The special Easter rice and chicken we would eat on Easter Sunday. It is my mum turning a blind eye to me swiping another bottle of Fanta (my 3rd one).
Easter is me collecting money from uncles and aunties who visit Who are happy to dash me 5 or 10 Naira, just because it's Easter (those were the days).
It is me watching the Jesus story on TV, my eyes riveted to the screen And crying because I did not understand how people could be so wicked To flog him like that, make him carry that heavy cross Then nail him to the horrible cross and leave him to die.
Easter is me practising with my friends for the Easter service at my church And basking in the round of applause we receive for our great performance.
It is me helping my mum prepare for her Sunday School class By drawing and colouring the posters she will use to teach the lesson. Then watch as they listen (because they know they will be rewarded with chocomilo).
Easter is me celebrating the day for the first time in my new born again state. Through new born again eyes, a newness in my spirit that is tied to the original Easter day.
It is me celebrating the day in a new church, with new friends, new church family Missing my loved ones back home, but enjoying new freedoms. Battling that weird phase of girl to woman as I start of ponder in my late teens What significance the day itself has, and will have for me as I grow up.
Easter is me hanging out with friends, spending the day at the park or indoors Chatting, eating, cooking, playing games, laughing and having a good time.
It is enjoying the post wedding buzz, spending time with Mr. Potting about the house, hanging up pictures, deciding where to place the vase. Cuddling up to watch TV, just chilling, you know, newly wed stuff.
Easter is finding my feet as a mum, slightly miffed that I couldn't really hear Or enjoy the Easter service because of baby fussing and crying.
Yet all the same it is me so thankful and overjoyed that after weeks of hospital stay Doctors, nurses, tests, operations, back and forth, touch and go, Prayers, tears, tired eyes, sleepless nights, faith exercised, hope rewarded. She is back home with us, healed, only by the saving grace of Jesus.
Easter is juggling a husband, home and two kids, taking them on Easter egg hunts Trying desperately to convince them that there is more to this Easter thing.
It is more than just chocolate bunnies, easter eggs, stuffing your face with chocolate. More than yellow chicks and flimsy toys paraded to them on TV More than two weeks off school to which they (kids) rejoice and parents sigh.
Easter is getting ready for and going to church, getting back home and preparing lunch, Eating lunch, relaxing a bit, preparing and eating dinner, then the day is gone.
It is praying for wisdom on how to teach my Sunday School kids what Easter is, Then having a lesson that didn't quite go to plan, but hopefully leaves them With a message that hopefully they will remember positively in years to come.
Easter is a simple message. Jesus loves you so much that He sacrificed himself on the cross, So that you can be alive today, happy today, be loved today and love in return.
It is thinking back on all my milestone moments in years gone by And knowing for a FACT that I am here, only by God's grace, And because of HIS sacrifice for ME on that old rugged cross.
Thank you Jesus, for being willing to risk the pain and torment For my salvation, joy and freedom (Mark 10:45).
Even when I'm not that lovable, you love me still. You love us all, still.
Happy Easter everyone! May your heart be filled with the joy and promise of Easter. Whatever that is for you.
Thank you for taking time to read my musings. What does Easter mean to you?