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Easter is on the way! I’m sure you have plans to do all the things you normally do for Easter: buy a new outfit, take the kids to the mall for a picture with the bunny, color eggs, memorize a line or two for the play at church. But will you take the time to think on the true meaning of the holiday?

Easter is a time to ponder the resurrected life of Jesus and the new life we have through Him. It is a time to reflect on our lives over the past year – the good days and the bad days; the times we stumbled off the path, and the times we stood strong and firm; our joys and sorrows; our triumphs and tragedies; the times we honored God, and the times we became like Peter and denied Him.

Easter means being raised with Christ in all our ways and committing again all our ways to Him. It means putting away the old and worthless and finding the Light that shines newness on all things.

So make an effort to capture the true spirit of Easter. Be raised with Christ to a new standard of living. Don’t let the day die – allow it to keep going and going and going. Like the Energizer Bunny. Perhaps it’s the appropriate bunny for the Easter season.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6 KJV)

Previously published, in part, in PRAISE!Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2003, Melchee (Tate) Johnson, editor. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Last week I wrote on 43 things for which I’m thankful, that have made life good, in celebration of my 43rd birthday. How truly blessed we always are! Here is another Grateful Friday offering:

March. Yes, again it’s my birthday month and anniversary month, which make it easy to say it’s my favorite, but it’s more than that. Anytime there’s a chance to celebrate anything – another year, another day – we should do just that. March also shows the first signs of spring, and our wait for Easter. And, there’s the fun and stress of March Madness! It’s just a month full of promise, renewal, transition, and the hope for better days.

Writing and sharing. I’m three months in with the blog! I’m so grateful for the words I’ve been given to share, and I pray you are being blessed by them. Though I received formal journalism training, and though I’m a previous founder, writer, and editor of a Christian magazine I published for seven years, I’m still learning and enjoy connecting with other bloggers, faith writers, and designers in the field. I’m excited about the She Speaks Conference, hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries, coming up in July, and for some design assistance, I’ll be taking an online course in Adobe Illustrator, hosted and taught by Lauren Hooker of Elle & Company.

Lazy weekends. Friends, I am a true homebody. I could stay in my house all day and read, watch movies, and eat good food. Give me a weekend when my favorite TV shows are on marathon, and I’m a happy camper. When there’s no housework to do, when the grocery shopping is done, and when I can wrap up in a warm blanket, it’s all the more special. When you have that chance to rest your mind, body and soul, take advantage. Find a quiet room and just be free from the week past, and worry-free of the week ahead.

Beautiful spirits. I received some very nice cards and happy wishes for my birthday. In my love for words, I appreciate sentiments when they ring true from the heart, ones expressed with care and purpose. Empty words are just that – they leave no impression and aren’t felt. For the beautiful spirits and hearts that have given kind words, that build instead of tear down, that make me smile on dreary days, I thank you.

As you reflect on your week, for what can you give thanks? Share in the comments below, and let’s spread the love!