Sunday, April 24, 2011

My dearest God,

Easter morning is my favorite morning of the year. I almost always step outdoors into the spring-life weather to listen to the first song of Easter, the song of the birds. With rapt attention I stand silently so I can hear the joy of resurrection sung by the birds who would have been the first to the grave of Jesus. Only one year did they not sing at my home. I listened and listened but I did not hear one single sound from the birds. I was so disappointed but then when I arrived at Bethel United Methodist Church to prepare for our sunrise service, there was a choir of birds singing the Easter song.

Last night one of the choir members shared her disappointment that this morning we would not be singing one of her favorite Easter songs. When she mentioned it, I too was disappointed but not for long. She gave me an idea. I knew immediately what I was going to do.

This morning I awakened at 4:00 a.m. Because I had so much cooking and preparing for our Easter dinner to do, I tried to go back to sleep for a few minutes but I could not so I prayed for churches and pastors all around the globe before getting up. I walked into the kitchen, took my medicine, went to the bathroom and then descended down the steps into the basement. I grabbed one of my grandmother's old hymnals and then climbed the stairs, walked through the hall into the kitchen and finally outdoors. Because there was a drizzle of rain coming down I stood under the overhang and listened. Just a few birds sang while I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment. Then I opened my hymnal and joined the singing, "Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior! Waiting the coming day-- Jesus My Lord! Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!"

O God,
Everlasting Father,
Wonderful Counselor,
to you
all glory
and honor belongs.
Let us sing
your praise
all the days
of our lives.
Receive our joy
and devotion
as we
lift it
to you.
Truly, you are
the light
in the world.

Love, Andrea