Easter Past , Easter Present

     Yesterday I received an email from a dear friend living in Spokane saying she remembers the days when Easter meant fancy clothes, new shoes,  the perpetual white gloves.  She then recalled one Easter buying  her four girls  and two boys matching sailor outfits (dresses for the girls, suits for the boys); a precious memory my friend said she will forever carry , and said she was sure I had similar memories in my own mental scrapbook . 
     And indeed I do . The excitement, and anticipation of Easter morning ! Getting ready for church , and wearing  the new spring pastel colored dress, and matching  hat  my Mother and I had shopped for , and seeing my brother sharply attired in his new Easter suit -  and  like my friend, I wore white gloves! 
I can’t help but smile when looking at our photos from that time , as though we were ready to step onto the rotogravure. And the same for my sons , and how special it was each year to browse the department store to find the perfect outfit for them to wear Easter Sunday , and how adorable my sons looked .  Sweet memories! 
    This Easter, like so  many who have written and reflected upon it, is very different for most of us .  There was no shopping for Easter clothes as the stores are all closed . Most importantly, we’re separated from family and friends , and from our churches; our place of worship - where we gather together to join our voices on Easter morning to sing Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen! Alleluia! 
      One thing discovered, or perhaps, rediscovered is God’s way, His purpose will prevail.  Easter is eternal. Jesus suffered, died and is risen.  Nothing can change that.  Not war, or poverty, pandemic or passing of time.  When Jesus says He is with us always , He means always! Not only in the pews of our church , but wherever we are - with a congregation or home alone; whatever we’re going through. This Easter so many of us are are separated one from the other, but it seems God gave us another way, a different way to worship! By via streaming our Holy Thursday, Good Friday , Easter morning church services, and connecting via the internet. Incredibly, millions upon millions of folks throughout the world are streaming worship services . And the awesome outcome? The internet used not for evil, but for good . Not for division , but to unify.  Separated by distance, yet together at the same time - for one purpose; to pray together, to praise together , to petition in common for the needs of all. 
    With the physical separation we must endure right now ,  let us continue to be spiritually connected, remembering we are called to:
     Renewal
      Restoration
       Rebirth
        Hope

Christus resurrexit