Dear First Pres,
On this last day of March I see a bit more clearly that Holy Week is soon upon us. I am flooded with Easter memories. Here are a few:
When I was in 1st or 2nd grade, Dad was stationed at Castle Air Force base and we lived in Winton. Our parents hid the Easter baskets and my brothers and I had to find & follow clues to get to the baskets. I think we found them in the dryer. I’m not sure why, but this did not become a tradition.
Easter of 1968 we were in Portales, New Mexico, living next to my mom’s parents since dad was deployed to Viet Nam. I was 8. Dad sent orchid corsages of varying sizes to my mom, me and my just born in January sister, Cindy. At some point when we stood in the service and sat down again, the corsage brushed against my brother's arm and lost a petal. I cried the entire rest of the service. Not loudly, just a steady stream of tears while I held the fallen petal in my palm.
Easter Week of 1982 I was working at a private preschool here in Fresno, listening to lots of Christian music and beginning to understand that a more intimate relationship with God might be something I would want. That spring break I took myself Colorado Springs to visit my “all in to Jesus” friend, Sue. She was recently engaged and I wanted to meet the guy. She did not have the week off, so I entertained myself during the day, reading, going on excursions, resting, thinking, and beginning to pray. This is the week I recognized I was no longer satisfied with an “I’ll call you when I need you” relationship with God. Instead, I wanted all of what I was beginning to understand God offered through Jesus; “an every hour I need you” relationship.
For many years thereafter I spent most Easter Weeks with FPC High School students in Mexico, serving and learning cross-culturally as a volunteer youth leader. I treasure so many rich and wonderful memories of people, places, and spiritually meaningful moments.
What Easter memories do you have as we move closer to Holy Week? What Easter traditions do you want to create?
I’m especially thankful each Easter for the gracious way God drew me into a deeper relationship with him and into His Church. That moves me to look out for those He might be drawing; to be praying for those I long for to be drawn in; to ask God to use me, like he did my friend Sue, as part of that drawing.
Friends, enjoy the eggs, the bunnies, the lilies and your Easter traditions. Infuse them with the amazing grace that is the gospel. And, be on the lookout, attentive and prayerful, for those in your circles who are standing on the edge, watching and wondering if this following Jesus thing might be for them.
Grace & Peace,
Terry Jaurena
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