I am so grateful for amazing mentors who pull me along! I have long followed this dear Marilyn's blog when I have a few minutes. I would rather read her uplifting thoughts and encouragements than the newspaper dropped on my doorstep! This morning, I found her post commenting on an editorial from the Deseret News. I post the short but powerful article here so I can refer back to it. It is just what I needed today! Thanks Marilyn!
Rebirth as a way of life
Published: Sunday, April 4, 2010 12:03 a.m. MDT
For Christians, the word "resurrect" has a specific meaning. They spell the word with a capital R. It refers to Jesus Christ rising from the tomb on the third day. For committed Christians, that has always been the touchstone of faith, the litmus test for true believers.
The Deseret News, in fact, was founded on that notion. The paper was formed to be a vehicle for spreading the "good news." It continues to follow that lead today.
At Easter, however, along with the "large R" word, it's also worthwhile to contemplate "small r" resurrections — moments in life when a second chance is offered, when people in our lives resurface or treasured memories ignite again in the mind. A glimpse in the Thesaurus shows that "resurrect" can also mean "reactivate," "reanimate," "reawaken" and "revive." And for Christians, the "large R" resurrection should be a call to share that gift in many "small r" ways.
That friendship that has gone dormant? Now's a fine time to make a phone call or pay a visit. If, as the old song say, "Love makes the world go round," then "relationships are what make love go round."
Conversations with lifetime companions about the burnished days past are what folklorists call "triggers" — they call to mind thoughts and feelings that give our lives continuity and meaning.
Easter is also a good time to "consider the lilies," to watch the rebirth of flowers, leaves and other natural wonders. If a daffodil can snap back after a hard winter, surely people can as well.
Lessons can be learned. Easter is a time of second chances.
And, to borrow a thought from singer Julie de Azevedo, Easter may be a time to let someone "out of jail" — to forgive slights and offenses and allow a soul we've confined to the sidelines to get back in the game with us.
Forgiveness always blesses two lives — the forgiver and the forgiven.
But, most of all, perhaps Easter should also be a time to "reawaken" sleeping dreams, former commitments and the courage to stay the course or — when needed — chart a fresh route.
Nobody could ever repay the gift of Resurrection. The best we can do is enhance all its "small r" versions in our lives.
And Easter Sunday is the perfect day to "re-light" those candles.
Rebirth as a way of life
Published: Sunday, April 4, 2010 12:03 a.m. MDT
For Christians, the word "resurrect" has a specific meaning. They spell the word with a capital R. It refers to Jesus Christ rising from the tomb on the third day. For committed Christians, that has always been the touchstone of faith, the litmus test for true believers.
The Deseret News, in fact, was founded on that notion. The paper was formed to be a vehicle for spreading the "good news." It continues to follow that lead today.
At Easter, however, along with the "large R" word, it's also worthwhile to contemplate "small r" resurrections — moments in life when a second chance is offered, when people in our lives resurface or treasured memories ignite again in the mind. A glimpse in the Thesaurus shows that "resurrect" can also mean "reactivate," "reanimate," "reawaken" and "revive." And for Christians, the "large R" resurrection should be a call to share that gift in many "small r" ways.
That friendship that has gone dormant? Now's a fine time to make a phone call or pay a visit. If, as the old song say, "Love makes the world go round," then "relationships are what make love go round."
Conversations with lifetime companions about the burnished days past are what folklorists call "triggers" — they call to mind thoughts and feelings that give our lives continuity and meaning.
Easter is also a good time to "consider the lilies," to watch the rebirth of flowers, leaves and other natural wonders. If a daffodil can snap back after a hard winter, surely people can as well.
Lessons can be learned. Easter is a time of second chances.
And, to borrow a thought from singer Julie de Azevedo, Easter may be a time to let someone "out of jail" — to forgive slights and offenses and allow a soul we've confined to the sidelines to get back in the game with us.
Forgiveness always blesses two lives — the forgiver and the forgiven.
But, most of all, perhaps Easter should also be a time to "reawaken" sleeping dreams, former commitments and the courage to stay the course or — when needed — chart a fresh route.
Nobody could ever repay the gift of Resurrection. The best we can do is enhance all its "small r" versions in our lives.
And Easter Sunday is the perfect day to "re-light" those candles.