Reflections on Easter Time

As we approach this Easter season, my mind reflects on Easters past. I loved gathering with my family, when I was young going on the egg hunt, having a dinner with all of us gathering around the table. Out of all the things that brought me joy, I would probably say the candy. Who can resist a good chocolate bar, or jelly beans at Easter time. Some times it would anger me when other kids got more than I did, but in the end everything went well. Now that I am on my mission, one of his servants, it has a much different meaning to me, is much closer to my heart. In my first area(Kalispell MT) I worked on a lady's sheep farm, which was a first for me. I can still remember the birth of a new sheep like it was yesterday. It was cold outside, the sheep wasn't expected to be born until much later. The chances for its survival were slim to none. Olny staying close to its mothers warmth, getting food, would allow it to continue on. If it strayed, if it was lost, beaten, or neglected, it could not survive on its own. The savior is the mastor shepherd, and we are his sheep. Many time in life I have strayed from his path, seeking for this or that, but because he loves me "he will leave the nintey and nine and go after the one."(Luke 15:1-5) He "layed down his life for the sheep.(jhon 10:15) Though we may suffer many things in life,such as hunger, fatiuge, lonliness, depression, anger, anxiety, the savior of the world took upon himself our burdens.(Isaih 53) He made it possible to change, to look to him and live. He is the way. Though we may feel at times we have lost hope, we have moved on from the faith, he is there. When he sufferd all things for us, was betrayed by family and friends, apostles and apostaes, he would not leave us. He was determined to finish what his father asked him to do. Out of love he gave his life for us, we must be willing to do the same for him, for the cause of his gospel of love. At times it may seem hard, me may loose hope or be offended by those around us, but remeber he loves you. Life 10% what others do to us, and 90% how we react to it. Even when Christ knew there were those who would bring offense, those who would fall because none are perfect, he was willing to look past our faults and raise us up.(Romans 5) WE need to love eachother, never leave him, follow his example. Its a choice to be offended, and when we make that choice we are denying his healing power in our life, in the life of others. May we always stay in his blessed light, be willing to follow him as he gave his all for us is my humble prayer.