045 (Emotional Easter)

This has been the best Easter I have ever had.

My family is here, and they are whole. This morning I went to the church I grew up in for the first time in over two years. I sang a song for the offering time, like I had done when I was younger. A lot had changed since the last time I stood up here, staring at the stained glass windows and wondering if God was perhaps bigger than what I knew.

I started to sing "In Christ Alone," and halfway through the first verse, I started to cry and I couldn't finish it. I tried in vain to make the words pass my lips, but all I could see were the eyes of Jesus, shining with life and pleading for the Bride to let Him come closer. He deserves everything for what He has done and who He is. I knew in that moment that a million songs sung to Him would never be enough to pour out enough praise on His feet, would never compare to the love that He pours out on us.

I managed to make it through the song with a few other choked-up moments. I didn't care that it wasn't perfect, people don't come to church to get perfect, they come to church to get raw and real truth. I felt the power of the love of God pour out in the sanctuary and I saw many people with tears streaming down their faces. I knew Holy Spirit was touching them.

My mother and I sat in the car and cried together because I told her Jesus just wanted to be close to us. My father and I were children again, laughing in the service. Joy is in our bones and runs through our blood, it covers our house and permeates the earth around.

The garden is green and all the flowers are blooming, and I feel like my heart is doing the same thing. He has risen, so that I can rise and come out of hibernation, my roots growing deep and my perfume of praise pouring out in the garden of God.

I am overwhelmed by Him. He is the most lovely person in all of eternity, and He is closer to me than my own skin. What a gospel. What a Savior.