Countdown to Easter...

On my living room wall

Spring is coming. I've seen it's evidence in nature as I've taken walks over the past few days. (Remember, I live out in the Pacific Northwest. Sorry if you're still buried in snow!)

There are flowers sprouting up (Crocus and some Daffodils), Rhododendron bushes and trees have buds. Our grass desperately needs mowing but our groundskeeper, my hubby, has been under the weather so it will have to wait.

Last night after I finished working, we joined the Mardi Gras crowd at our local restaurant to celebrate "Fat Tuesday" and I feasted on Cajun fish and chips and a Hurricane cocktail. (Having just recovered from a NASTY bout with the flu, my hubby had iced tea and a few nibbles of Pita bread...)

At Tides Tavern

Although it was fun to wear colorful beads and masks and pretend we were in New Orleans, my heart was heavy and far away; across the ocean where 21 Egyptian Christians were beheaded for their faith by Isis, and in California where a friend's son passed away after years of organ transplants and surgeries. HARD things. SAD things. And that's just some of what is going on in our world...

This was on my chalkboard two years ago...

How can I eat fries when others are grieving? How do I reconcile a Good God with horrific and sad news?

The native Christians of Egypt are referred to as Copts and there are many living here in America.
My Nashville daughter teaches at an Egyptian Christian School.Her school hasn't had class yet this week due to snow and ice (it's the South~they don't "do" winter well.) I know it's an extremely heartbreaking time for all. She loves the people and testifies to their faith.

At the UCLA hospital, the dear Mama of the young man that passed away is praising the Lord and thankful her boy is in Heaven and perfectly healed. She has taught all of us how to persevere during incredibly HARD things...

Thankfully, believers know that Easter is coming. HE has already won the battle and evil doesn't' win in the end! We'll all be rejoicing together on Easter Sunday. Even the World acknowledges that Easter is coming...

Target is getting ready.

Today is Ash Wednesday and we have 46 days until Easter.

Dictionary.com defines LENT as:

noun

1.

(in the Christian religion) an annual season of fasting and penitencein (public display of repentance) the preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 weekdays  to Easter, observed by Roman Catholic, Anglican, and certain other churches.

During this Season of Lent, people often choose to "give up" things like sweets. Others "take on" daily activities such as a special devotion or volunteer work. Whatever is chosen, the purpose is to help us remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Have you considered how you'll spend this period of time leading up to Easter Sunday? 

Please join me in praying for the Egyptian Christian Church around the world, and the Moss family here in the Harbor. God IS good, all the time!

In His Grip,
Jane xo            Thanks for stopping by See Jane Learn.