I celebrated Easter at my Mom and Dad’s church. It was my Mom’s first Easter without Dad. I thought about Dad being in church just one year ago, possibly sitting where I was sitting next to my Mom. The pastor is a big, outgoing man who reminds me of my Dad. They were very close friends, and the Lord’s joy is evident in his church. One of my favorite parts of the service was four testimonials about Christ’s transformation in their lives. One of the men had a tough, bar brawling type exterior. He talked about living a hard life; he looked happy on the outside but on the inside, he was racked by shame, addiction, and loneliness. He made a small prayer to God, a request to be a good dad to his boys. He felt immediately God was near to him in that small request. He had been struggling with patience with his boys, and as he prayed, they calmed down and immediately went to sleep. Stunned, he said, I don’t need more confirmation; this is enough for me to know that God was listening. He prayed and gave his life to God. Then he began to cry as he spoke with wonder about how his entire life turned upside down—from despair to joy, from shame to worthiness, from purposelessness to meaning. This is the beauty of the gospel. I felt joy that my Dad could have a pastor like Bobby Moore—a good and humble man who builds a church of real and authentic love for God. I am thankful I could be there with my Mom on her first Easter without Dad. I am grateful I could imagine Dad celebrating outside of time, outside of sorrow, fully alive and finally home. 

“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” -Romans 6:9

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