As I reflect on Easter, my mind drifts back to last year.  I hadn’t yet had my first surgery for the gastroparesis and I was still feeling the brokenness of several relationships.  I was still trying to figure out what moving forward was going to look like, and there was still so much uncertainty.  

I was struggling to feel comfortable at Church because of the shame and embarrassment I felt with the broken relationships, and I honestly was dreading Easter. It was the first Holiday after everything had happened.  I was hoping that with the several extra service times that I would pick one where I wouldn’t see anyone, but of course I picked the same service.  I decided to take a seat in the back of the Sanctuary.    

As I sat there listening to the sermon, I was finding my eyes drawn to the people in the room, I felt, I couldn’t speak to.  I kept thinking about how the disciples must have felt after the crucifixion.  The fear, confusion, and uncertainty they must have been feeling.  How would they move forward, especially when they didn’t understand that the resurrection was coming on the 3^rd day.  Jesus told them what would happen but how could they fully grasp it?  Even though they knew He would die, I’m sure they couldn’t comprehend the violent death they watched unfold.  

It hit differently last year.  I related to the disciples in a new way.  I never imagined that my life would fall apart the way it did and that, for a time, it would seem that I lost some close friendships.  I was living in the confusion of Friday not able to grasp that that resurrection Sunday was coming.  As I sat there, reflecting and listening to the sermon, I felt God’s assurance to my heart that He was going to redeem and restore my life in ways I couldn’t begin to imagine.  Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I had hope that God was not going to leave me in the confusion of the mess.  New life was going to come.

So, many things seem to have come full circle as Easter approaches this year.  I am not where I was last year, I’m no longer living in the confusion of my Friday.  I am now on a journey of learning to live in the hope and victory that we have through Jesus.  The broken church relationships have been reconciled and restored beyond what I could have ever imagined.  Sure, there are some things in my life that aren’t resolved, especially with my health, but I know that He is still writing this story.  Through, Jesus, we have hope that all will be made right and there is no mess that He is unable to clean up.  

Friend, I’m not sure what confusion, fear, or uncertainty you might be experiencing in your Friday, right now.  I can tell you that Resurrection Sunday is coming!  When you put your faith and hope in Jesus you have the promise of victory.  Every mess will be cleaned up.  In the end, everything will ultimately be made right.  Hold tight, Sunday is coming.  May we land on His grace.