I can’t believe that this weekend is Easter already. It snuck up on me so much I planned a business trip and visit with my daughter without realizing it was Easter weekend. Since I’ll be flying home Sunday morning, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go to church, but I’d love to find a sunrise service like the one we attended last year.
Attending an Easter sunrise service at a historic graveyard
really brought home the impact of the Resurrection.
I didn’t do a very good job of observing a Holy Lent this year, but I was pretty faithful about going to church every week. I skipped one day to try to get in a bike ride before it rained, but God had the last laugh when the rain came early. 😉 I missed another day for the Reston 10 Miler, but usually when planning my Sundays I put church on the calendar first. Carla has written about living her priorities, and making church a priority is the least I can do to live my commitment to my faith.
Our Gospel reading from a few weeks ago told the story of when Mary used the expensive oil on Jesus’ feet. I’ve heard this story many times, but this time Jesus’ words took on new meaning about priorities.
Judas had complained that Mary was being wasteful:
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
But Jesus defended her:
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
It’s that last line that struck me:
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
I heard those words as reminding me that there always would be work to do, but life is short. I heard those words as telling me that no matter how pressing the deadlines or how “important” the work, spending time with friends and loved ones should be a bigger priority, because the work will always be there, but they may not be. My kids are growing up and starting their own lives. Friends are changing jobs and moving away. A loved one may pass away unexpectedly.
Today’s Wednesday Word is faithful. Whether or not you will be observing Holy Week and celebrating Easter, I hope you can enjoy some time with friends and family.
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I had this very thought, about spending more time with friends and family yesterday as I was filling out my time off request for the rest of the year. I asked for extra Fridays so I can go kayaking with my girlfriends from high school a few times this summer. I asked for a long weekend to go away with my sister on our annual sister trip. I asked for a long weekend in December for a girls running weekend. And I asked for a week in July and a week in August to be home to celebrate my husband’s and boys’ birthdays. Life is indeed short. Work can wait.
Wow! You have a lot to look forward to!
You are SO right! Life is TOO short not to spend it with the people you love doing the things you love. Work will always be there. My hubby is on a business trip too and will miss Easter it will seem weird without him by my side at church. I hope you have a great holiday weekend!
A service in a graveyard…I don’t think I could have done that. I have a thing about grave yards but I appreciate the symbolism of the Resurrection.
Happy Holy week. Good job getting to church as often as you could. God knows your heart for sure.
I am planning a trip to NY to visit my dad for Easter. Although he is not religious at all (actually he is atheist), the time together is what is most important to me. I love seeing him develop a relationship with my kids.
Safe Travels and Happy Easter!
I think it helped that it was a historic graveyard. Enjoy the time with your father!
I have wonderful memories of Easters in my youth–the warmth of spring, the cousins from DC coming to stay with us, the services at church, the music and the silence. It’s harder to do as the world changes, but I will be in church on Thursday, Friday and Sunday with my dear husband at my side. Thanks for this.
It sounds like you have good plans – enjoy those services!
Yes a good weekend to spend with friends and loved ones. I’m off for a weekend with my mom
Oh, have fun! I’ll be at the other end of that mother-daughter time this weekend. 😉
You are so right – life is too short…I’ve had too many reminders of that recently. Looking forward to time with family and friends this weekend! Happy Easter!
I think Easter snuck up on a lot of people this year because it was so early. It’s great that you got to see your daughter!
Thanks for linking up!