With the hope and promises of the future, we can find assurance in the truth that everything will be okay.
Easter is known as the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. Jesus left heaven in order to save us from our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Lord wasn’t forced to do this but, rather, came to save us because He wanted to. In no other faiths or beliefs do we see God leaving heaven to redeem mankind. However, within Christianity, we learn that God Himself left His perfect home, died the death we deserved, and has now given salvation to all people who would place faith in Him.
Easter is a beautiful holiday that brings our hearts back to Jesus. Although I grew up with a different view of Easter, I now know the true meaning. Easter is not all about Easter egg hunts, bunnies, winning games, or having elaborate dishes. Instead, it is all about Jesus and how He has saved us from our sins.
However, though we know this, sometimes Easter can still be painful for us.
Facing Easter Alone
As I have grown older, Easter is not the same. Ever since my mom passed away, Easter has been painful. She is no longer present nor is she filling the house with her joy. My mother absolutely loved all holidays and Easter was no exception. She would decorate the house, cook a special lunch and dinner, and plan special events for us as kids.
There was never an Easter that wasn’t full of happiness and joy. Due to my mom’s love for the holidays, she ensured every holiday was special. Now that my mom has passed away, home feels empty. None of us are like my mom in the sense that we plan elaborate events, decorate, or even do anything different on Easter. It's as though we know it is Easter, but none of us has the motivation to change the daily schedule.
After reviewing this in therapy, I discovered it is because of grief. While I cannot speak for the rest of my family, I can attest to the fact that I don’t feel much like celebrating because my mom isn’t here. Why make special arrangements for the day if she isn’t present? Why do anything different when there is only grief?
The absence of a loved one during Easter can change the holiday for us. We no longer view it as a joyous occasion anymore, even though it is a beautiful holiday. As a Christian, I rejoice in my heart at the celebration of Easter, yet I also miss my mom. Both can coexist. We can rejoice while, at the same time, struggle with grief and pain.
Cherishing Past Memories
If you are in a similar situation, know that you can still move forward. The pain may never end, but you can cherish your past memories. The first Easter without my mom, I made a photo album. All of the pictures I put into the photo album were of my mom at various times in her life. There were very few pictures of my mom in her later years, but I took every picture I could find from our picture collection and placed it in my own album.
By doing this, it helped me cherish my memories with my mom while still grieving her absence. If you are going through something similar this year, try to make a photo album of your loved one who is no longer here. It can provide much peace and comfort during this difficult time. Reflect on your memories of them through pictures as well as engage in some creative scrapbooking.
Sometimes, adding in quotes or things they said to you can help keep their memory alive as well. On the back of photographs or on the scrapbook paper, write down a few things they used to say. You could also write different qualities they had or things you loved about them. Moreover, you could write about their favorite things. All of these will help you preserve your loved one’s memory and also reflect upon the holiday.
Many people believe we have to be happy all the time as Christians, but this isn’t true. Nowhere in the Bible are we told that we have to fake being happy. Instead, we are told that God keeps a record of all of our tears (Psalm 56:8). God never makes us feel bad about our tears, feelings, or grief. He sits with us in our pain and covers us with His grace.
Realizing and Releasing the Pain
Rather than trying to push the pain away, accept it. This pain is real, even though it is not a physical pain. The pain of losing a loved one or going through something else traumatic during Easter are all valid reasons for viewing Easter in a different light. However, I want you to know that God doesn’t think any less of you for struggling this holiday season. He understands your pain, and He wants you to come to Him with all of your feelings.
All of the pain you are feeling, give it over to Him (1 Peter 5:7). God cares more than you know. Don’t believe the lie that you are doing wrong by being crestfallen on Easter. Instead, know that God is present with you in your pain. He understands that sometimes Easter won’t be a joyful holiday because loved ones have left our life.
He doesn’t think we are lacking faith when we grieve our loved ones, but, rather, He grieves with us. God never intended for anyone to die, yet this is the result of sin. Sin leads to death, which is why we all die. Even though modern medicine is trying to find a way to elongate mankind’s lifespan, all of us will still face death at one point or another.
Facing our own death is one thing, but it is entirely different when a loved one passes away before us. This is arguably more painful because we will have to spend the rest of our lives without them. For me, this means I only had eighteen years with my mom. However long I live, it will always be longer than the time I had with her. This is a painful thing to come to the realization of; however, I understand that it is true.
In the same way, with whatever you are facing, come to the realization of the pain and know that it is real. Life probably doesn’t feel very fair right now, but sometimes life is not fair. We cannot understand everything on this side of heaven, but, one day, we will. One day, we will see the Lord in all His splendor and truly feel at peace.
This Easter, try to focus on this beautiful future with the Lord. There will be no more death, pain, or crying (Revelation 21:4). Find joy, hope, and comfort in this truth as it will never fade away. What God has promised will come to fulfillment. With this knowledge in our hearts, we can still worship the Lord and praise Him despite our pain.
Through our tears, pain, and grief, we can still celebrate the anniversary of His saving grace. The love of the Lord will help us continue walking through every dark season. With the hope and promises of the future, we can find assurance in the truth that everything will be okay. Lean on Jesus today, tell Him your feelings, and rest in the peace that everything will work out in harmony with His will.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Phil Thep
