Well, friends, I just realized why I have felt somewhat “out of sorts.” In my case, I haven’t been feeling or acting as I typically would. It has been a month since I last wrote. Maybe that explains it. I can hardly believe how quickly time has passed.

So here I am, settling in and reflecting on April. Springtime! New life! The trees leafing out, and those with flowering buds are bursting open throughout the hills and valleys of Northwest Arkansas. Green grass has sprouted, and flowers are popping up everywhere. The birds’ songs of joy fill the air as they busily build just the right nest for their soon-to-be babies. Creatures everywhere are scurrying and birthing, filling the earth once again. Springtime, my favorite season!

I must say, along with the beauty of life springing up everywhere comes the storms, as it should be, while here on this earth. This is not our home! Which brings me to the cross…

The cross is a reminder of our sins Jesus did bear;

Yes, for you and me and His people everywhere.

But on Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection story.

Because the cross alone could not convey the fullness of His glory.

If Jesus died on a cross and lay lifeless in the grave,

How could He return to the Father the ones He came to save?

No! Death was powerless over Him! He rose to our Father’s side,

And sent the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts;

That’s where He abides.

So, brothers and sisters, this is why we celebrate His empty grave.

The Holy Spirit is showing you, you’re one He came to save.”

The poem in its entirety is on pages 222-223, “Why an Empty Grave?” in Books Blue Skies, Butterflies, & Battlegrounds.

You might be wondering why now? Why would I be bringing up an event that we celebrated weeks ago? My statement, “This is not our home”, is why. As we acknowledge and give thanks for the beauty of some of the springtime events I had just mentioned, we also acknowledge that springtime for us includes the thunder and lightning storms, hail, wind, floods, and sometimes tornadoes. As you know, the weather is a factor wherever we live, and we take the bad with the good. Doesn’t it make you glad that this is not our permanent home and that by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have a home in glory? I don’t know about you, but it makes me want to shout praises to my Lord!

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

So, I believe we should have a steady reminder of the empty grave, our living hope of our future home in glory, reserved in heaven for us. Our hearts become filled with gratitude and praise.  It changes us, our motivation, and gives us purpose. Meanwhile, if we love Him, we must love others and be ready to share the Good News of the Gospel. We all need this good news, don’t you agree? Without it, we have no hope.

I certainly need these reminders, so this is quite possibly the reason I am motivated to write about them. Funny thing, as I am writing, I am doing some household chores and laundry with a more grateful heart. Similar to the birds singing while laboring to build their nests.

Have you noticed how much I write about reminders, remembering the right things? The scriptures are full of the benefits of remembering. Just one prime example is in  Psalms 42:5-6 (NKJV). During King David’s yearning for God amid distress, he asked himself, V5 “ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. V 6 Oh my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.” (Emphasis mine).

I say “out of sorts” would not come close to what David was going through during this time. Yet his hope in God, praising Him for the help of His countenance (presence), and remembering that God is always with him, sustained him through deep distress and exile.

Now I ask myself, “How can I be out of sorts while doing as David did?” Hymns, praise, poetry, His Word, and remembering the right things are the ways David overcame so much more than what I have experienced. When applied, they work for me, too.

A significant portion of the book of Psalms is attributed to King David. He was not only a King, but a gifted, skilled musician and poet who influenced the creation of many of the Psalms.

So, as I write to you and remind myself of the empty grave, my hope in Him, His presence always with me,  I am filled with gratitude and praise.  It changes me, my motivation, and I live with purpose. And I hope as you read what I write, you will believe and receive it for yourself. There’s no better place to be than His Word changing us, motivating us, and giving us purpose in this life. What He has done for us, He will do for you.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV.

Thank you for spending time with me. I appreciate you and your comments.

Reba