Vacation Notes
Dear Friends,
Easter has me all emotional this year. Granted it could be from the lack of sleep or the weird week I had, but it also has something to do with this being a weekend that annually is such a great reminder for me to pause, to reflect and to feel the emotions of Easter.
Today one of my lifelongs asked me “How emotional are you? One a scale of 1 to Silver Dollar City Christmas train where are you at?” And while we joke and laugh at the all the feels I have today, I’m also grateful for the way this week has unfolded itself into one that forces me to feel and be real with myself.
This was one of those weeks that you gladly close the books on. I’ll share with you a quick snapshot – and not at all for pity or for gloating or for anything other than sharing that we all have weeks where it pours, where we feel insignificant and where we count on a single hand the things that go “right” and have lost count the things that go “wrong”.
This week….
*Marked 9 years since celebrating a life lost far “too soon” if you ask any of us still here.
*Marked 9 years of having those tiny demon cells they call cancer that hide in freckles gone
*Included conflict in each area of my life
*A conversation about how I have disappointed, failed and let down someone that I love
*The ongoing battle of “I would rather drink Dr. Pepper and eat Movie Theater popcorn with Milkduds than drink one more glass of water”
*That good ole spring cold we all get
*Two skin biopsies
*Constant reminders that I, on my own, am a broken, rude, unruly mess of a person who is deeply in need of help beyond what I can offer myself. I’m reminded that it is truly the grace and mercy of God’s undying life for me, demonstrated through the death and coming back to life of His son that I experience hope.
A hope that says “Sunday is coming.” A hope that says “Death has no power.” A hope that says “I do not have to mourn like one who has no hope.” A hope that “His mercy is new every morning.” A hope that “Greater things are yet to be done.” A hope that “I am His beloved.”
It’s a hope that reminds me to feel all the feels on Easter weekend because the broken mess of a person I am is loved, refined and used for good despite my yuck.
Easter is a reminder that Jesus conquered death, he conquered my sin and brokenness, he gives me power to overcome the week above, to wake up tomorrow with a sigh of relief because Sunday is here.
What a beautiful time to reflect on this week and say thank you. Thank you that this week does not define me or hold me. This week can be shaken off because tomorrow is new.
Friends – I’m praying for you this weekend. That you would be reminded of God’s power and love in your life. That you would experience it anew. That you would allow yourself the opportunity to feel and through that, you would give yourself a break, be easy on yourself and allow yourself to be loved by the God who made you, died for you, rose for you and deeply loves you.
Happy Easter!
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Jody Lynn, I don’t need a daily devotional. I just need more Jody in my life. You are a constant inspiration to continue growing in faith, love, and hope.
Heather! I love getting the chance to grow up together in all the facets of our life. I must come home soon to see you and those babes!
It’s 4:46 … I’m up reading your blog and well, I don’t think I can stop at this one entry! Seriously…so inspiring and emotional (that burning “oh geez, I didn’t wash my face and now my mascara is getting in my eyes…stop crying Olivia! Stop crying!” kinda emotional). Thank you for reminding me to sit and thank God for His love for…to just sit and emrace His love…
You are a beautiful person,
Jody…inside and out!
I’m sure we could blame some of the crying on that sweet baby! 🙂 Thank you for reading – even at 4:46 😉