“Jesus replied, “If my followers were silenced, these stones
would shout out.” ~
Luke 19:40
He taught me how to swim, to catch
a fly ball, and to build a campfire, but the most important things he taught me
were by his example. He was humble,
compassionate, and respectful.
Dad’s 91 now; his once-brilliant mind ravaged by
dementia. He doesn't know my name. He rarely says two sentences in a row that
make any sense. Only occasionally does
he remember specific events from long ago.
And yet, without words he’s still teaching me that God is still present
and working through all of us, even now, even on those days when I don't
understand a thing my father is saying.
Last Sunday we took one of our customary drives through the
Georgian pines. There’s almost nothing
like it on earth. As farms and fields
whizzed by, I noticed out the corner of my eye that Dad was straining to look
out the window.
“Pine trees know when it’s Easter!” he suddenly
exclaimed.
Sometimes he blurts out silly things and then retreats back
into his own silent world. So I waited
without responding.
“Pine trees start their new growth in the weeks before
Easter,” he continued. “Look there Kevin
(Kevin is my uncle’s name – not mine), at the tops of the pine trees. See the yellow shoots?”
“As the days get close to Easter Sunday,” Dad explained, “the
tallest shoot will branch off and form a cross.
By the time Easter Sunday arrives, most of the pine trees will have
small yellow crosses on all of the tallest shoots.
I looked out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a week before Easter and all of the
trees had tall yellow shoots stretching to Heaven. The tallest ones shone in the sunlight like
rows of tiny golden crosses.
It reminded me of when Jesus’ disciples were speaking
praises of him atop a mule and the Pharisees told them to stop. Jesus told them that if those praises were
not spoken, “even the stones will cry out.”
Dad was right, and for a few brief moments we shared the
intimacy of friendship once again.
Spring is the season of life – a time to celebrate new
beginnings. Flowers begin to show their
colors, fruit trees sprout the beginnings of their bounty, and babies of many
species are hatching and birthing.
Many attend Easter Service on that day who don’t worship on
any other Sunday. The music is sweeter,
the sermon more meaningful and some will promise to attend weekly - spirit renewed. Peace be with you my friends on
this Easter weekend and forever.
Lord Jesus, You conquered death so that we
might have life. You showed incredible
kindness when it was undeserved and patiently taught us through Your example,
to become better people with better lives.
Thank you for new beginnings!
