On the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, we celebrated my father-in-law’s life with a funeral service that he planned before he passed away. After the funeral we traveled to the cemetery where he was laid to rest next to his granddaughter (our niece) who passed away two weeks before he did.

On Easter Sunday morning as I sat in the church pew and gazed at the cross on the platform, I was reminded once again why the cross was empty. Jesus died on the cross, but He did not stay there. His resurrection proved He conquered sin and death and paid the price for our salvation. He won the victory for us, because of God’s great love. One of the songs we sang is a familiar hymn I have sung hundreds of times. But on Easter Sunday, its meaning resonated with me like never before:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
and life is worth the living just because He lives.

I will be facing tomorrow with grief and sadness because I lost two people who were very dear to me. But I will also face tomorrow with joy and thanksgiving because of the hope I have in Jesus. There are many wonderful Bible verses on joy, but one of my favorites is Romans 15:13 (NIV).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Here’s to hope and joy and facing tomorrow with Jesus!

Crystal