Sunday, March 27, 2016

Because He Lives

Happy Easter!


Jesus was dead and suddenly He wasn't. 
I'm in awe of this. 


Bill and I have just taken a trek through the valley of the shadow of death.


He has lived with the physical symptoms of a misdiagnosis for far too long. 
He has felt like garbage. 


I felt like I was watching him die. 
I had this terrible sense that our golden years were not to be. 



The mortar for the wall around a portion of my heart was already at the ready. 
 I didn't realize this, of course, but losing two parents as a child messes with your psyche.
I didn't know the future but I thought that God was going to call Bill home. 


When our Savior died there was a dramatic earthly manifestation of this spiritual event.



 The sun went dark. 
The temple curtain was torn in two. 
The earth shook.
The graves opened up and the dead arose.
 Walking dead.
Can you imagine? "Hey, weren't you dead?" 
 

 I almost couldn't get through the passion story this week with my little ones. 
We get to live because His heart started beating. 
He took a gasping breath. 
He opened His eyes. 
He moved His fingers. 
"We get to go to heaven and live with Jesus some day." 


I tell the story with the knowledge that I don't want to go to heaven yet. 
I didn't want Bill to go to heaven prematurely. 
 I'm not sure anyone really wants to end this life to begin the next unless there is pain and suffering. 


I know my sins are forgiven and I live differently because of that but living on this side of heaven is a balancing act. 
The moments that I know without a shadow of doubt that Jesus is right there next to me are few and far between because those deep times of trouble are, thankfully, far and few between. 
I know He is always near but I don't always sense that He is near,  if that makes sense. 



I started to get emotional telling the passion story because I was suddenly struck with the knowledge that we live now because He lives. 
By His grace Bill is still here. 
Because of His victory over death, Bill has new life. 
Bill's heart beats because Jesus' heart beats. 
Bill was dying.
He was wasting away. 
Now he is not. 
Jesus was dead. 
Now He is not. 

Bill's resurrection from walking dead to life didn't come with an earthquake but our earth quaked anyway. 
Bill has been given life three times. 
At his birth. 
At his spiritual birth when he acknowledged his sin before God and accepted Jesus' payment for his sin. 
He was given his third chance at life with a correct diagnosis and life saving insulin. 
The awakening breath that Jesus took on Easter morning has a deeper meaning for us this year. 
Bill was in the shadow of the tomb but we weren't there by ourselves. 
By God's grace and mercy, He was there with us. 
Blessings to you,
He lives! 
Katie 





















 

5 comments :

  1. Wow! What a story you have to tell. I'm happy that you did not have to become a widow, happy that Bill is doing so much better and you have more time together.

    I am thankful for each new day, for my many blessings, and I know Jesus is with me every moment I draw breath. This was my dear husband's 4th Easter with Jesus. How wonderful that must be. I am a sojourner here on this earth, and I look forward to eternity with Jesus and being with my husband once again. We had 43 years together in this life and I am thankful for them.

    That is a wonderful picture of Bill's huge smile. God's continued blessings on you both.

    Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Katie, so touched by your beautiful post. Hope that Bill is feeling much stronger, now that he has been properly diagnosed. Wishing you and yours a very happy Easter!

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  3. Thank God Bill is doing better and I wish both of you long lives and a Happy Easter!

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  4. This is a lovely post, Katie! So glad your husband is doing well now! I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

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  5. Hi Katie, hallelujah He lives and he is always near.
    I love that you and your husband have found out what his health issues are and how to deal with them. My husband also takes insulin and has now for about four years. As long as he does as his doctor says and checks his sugar, exercises and watches what he eats, he feels great and his check-ups are great. There are times when I have to become the Food Nazi, but that's okay . . . we have to take good care of our sweethearts. You are both being added to my prayers.
    God bless you.
    Connie :)

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