Reader: No! What will I do?! How will I get by? How will I satisfy my soul?
Well, I will tell you how.
Fall into the arms of God and his great love that He has for you. (No matter what you have done. Trust me.)
Reader: Oh gosh. Not this. You can stop now. I don't want to hear that crap.
Well, you can stop reading then, but I think you should continue. I'm pretty awesome. You don't want to miss a word I say, do you?...Don't answer that.
God's great mercy that He showed us by sending Jesus is the entire reason I am living in Guatemala.
If it wasn't for Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, I can promise you I would not be sitting here right now listening to gun fire in the not so far off distance. I love the people here, but it took God almost literally speaking to me, to get me here. (A miracle in and of itself.)
I would be back in Texas with my white picket fence and 2 1/2 children. (I have never understood that saying...Is the half a dog?)
Here in Guatemala, they celebrate Good Friday like no one's business. The entire country shuts down for parades and such. Lots of swimming too. There are blow up pool toys for sale everywhere. I'm pretty sure there is also lots of drinking.
Reader: Oooh Sarah! Are you going to partake in that? This is sounding good!
Probs not. I might have a glass of wine, but that'll be it. I have learned in the past that I cannot handle my alcohol. I just assume not make a donkey out of myself. (Do you get the donkey reference? Palm Sunday. Look it up. I crack myself up.)
I'm trying to focus this weekend on what happened for me all those years ago. (I didn't say exactly how many years because I have no idea. I'm not a history buff.....OK. I just googled it. 1,981 years ago. Give or take.)
I realized today that I have gotten so caught up in this Young Living Oil stuff, (It's amazing. You should get some.) that I haven't really focussed this week on the ultimate gift God gave me 1,981 year ago. (I love that I have a number. Makes me feel smart...er..smarter)
I sat down tonight and tried to think about what this weekend represents.
Here are my thoughts:
Reader: Sarah. This better be good. I just booked my plane ticket to Guatemala. I wan't in on that party.
For me, Friday represents the day that Jesus Christ said, "You aren't good enough. You never will be, but I am. I will be the ultimate sacrifice for you." (totally paraphrasing here)
Friday let's me breathe a sigh of relief.
Friday represents the day Jesus showed me that I will never be able to work my way into Heaven.
Friday says, "Stop trying so hard. You suck. I love you, but you suck without me. Fall into my arms of mercy. Accept my grace."
Reader: So lyrical. So beautiful. I'm crying. Forget the fabulous partying on the streets of Guatemala. Tell me more. Besides, sounds like there is gunfire along with the drinking. I'm not into that kind of thing.
Sunday here kind of makes me sad. From what I have heard, Sunday is just another day to most Guatemalans.
People here don't celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Not much anyway. It's all about the death here. Kind of makes no sense to me.
They are leaving out the most amazing part!
Reader: What is it?!?!?!
Sunday, and what it represents, is the most amazing day in the entire history of the world.
Sunday is the day Christ conquered death.
Sunday is the day that allows me to tell Jackson he doesn't have to be scared of the bad guys because Jesus has already conquered the big bad guy.
Sunday is the day Jesus came back to life.
LIFE!
Sunday represents the day Jesus said, "DONE SUCKAS!" (Once again, paraphrasing.)
Sunday is good.
If only Friday had happened, it would be uber depressing, and we wouldn't have a Savior.
Sunday happened.
Hallelujah.
Legit happened.
So, this weekend, I am taking a break. I'm taking a break from oils. I am taking a break from this blog. I am taking a break from Jackson and John. OK, not really, but it would be nice to have a babysitter every now and then. You have no idea.
Try not to miss me too much. I know it will be hard. You can do it! I believe in you..not like I believe in Jesus, but you get my point.
I leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. No, it's not Ke$ha's Timber, although I do love that song..
I love this. Thank you for sharing and good for you for taking a break! I love reading the various accounts of the resurrection and thinking about what these people must have been feeling when they saw Christ for the first time after his death. They joy, the fear, the confusion, the certainty and uncertainty all in one. I love how, even nearly 2000 years ago, these people are so totally relateable.
ReplyDeleteMarcie, You are so sweet. Taking a break was easier said than done!! I know. I can't imagine what it must have been like to see Him after he had been crucified. A beautiful site indeed!
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