There are a lot of eggs, bunnies, and pastel colors everywhere this time of year. This year Easter kind of sneaked up on me. I knew it was coming but I had no motivation to really plan anything so now I’m stuck here in the last hour trying to figure out what to get my kiddos for Easter, and also trying to find a babysitter to watch them while I run up to the Christian book store to find a gift for them.

I’m not a fan of all the hype surrounding Easter, and I’m not a fan of bunny rabbits either. My heart is not behind Easter egg hunts, coloring eggs, or Easter baskets.

Eleven years ago on Easter was the last day I saw my grandmother alert and talking. Out of all the Easter gifts my Baby Girl received, the gift my grandmother gave her when she was only 2 1/2 years old is the one I will never forget. She gave her a Walkman with headphones, and set of audio cassettes with Bible stories on them.

My grandmother had recently rededicated her life to You. The transformation that took place in her life is something I will never forget.

At the time she gave Baby Girl her present, I was not a believer. I remember rolling my eyes at the Bible stories, and I was worried. I didn’t believe in You then, and I didn’t trust You either. But I let her listen to the tapes because she loved her great-grandmother so much, and she LOVED those tapes!

She could not get enough of those tapes. There was one in particular that she listened to over and over again, but I can’t remember what story it was. I laugh thinking about how often she would listen to her little Walkman. She was so little, but so grown up for her age.

The day after Easter was when my grandmother was taken to the hospital, and shortly after that she was on a respiratory and unresponsive. Then a couple of weeks later she went home to be with YOU.

I will never forget the gift she gave Baby Girl because I know where her heart was when she did. I am so grateful that she loved us enough to share You with us even if I wasn’t ready to receive Your gift just yet.

I will especially never forget the gift you gave us this time many years ago. My grandmother was only sharing the gift You had given us. She knew how much You loved us.

Even though I know my heart should be filled with JOY right now, it’s difficult for my heart to rejoice. It’s been a difficult week with many reminders of those who do not know You. My heart is filled with gratitude that You, JESUS, have filled my HEART and my LIFE. What would I do without You?

That’s my burden though, what do people do without YOU? SO many would say they are fine without YOU, but I would say that I disagree. But how can I share You with a world that doesn’t want You, or with a world that thinks they don’t NEED YOU?

I do apologize for not celebrating like I should. I try to celebrate and praise You every single day. I try to serve You every single day. But on Easter my heart just sees those who do not have You in their life, and my heart hurts.

Lord, Jesus, on Easter my soul SCREAMS for those who do not know You!

SO on Easter morning I will worship You, I will go to to church, I will watch “The Passion”, and have dinner with my lovely family. But deep down in my heart Lord Jesus, there will be a twinge of pain and sadness for those who are celebrating an empty Easter filled with meaningless eggs, baskets, and Easter rabbits, a meaningless Easter WITHOUT You. But even worse they are living a meaningless life without You too…

My prayer this Easter Lord Jesus, is for those who do not know You, I pray that the veil is lifted and the truth pierces their heart like it has pierced mine. I know that once it does, they will never be the same again…I pray this in YOUR might name, Amen!