An Untraditional Easter – letting go of our plan's

This Easter, my youngest daughter was to be baptized, my family reunited with the coming home of my two other kids from a mission trip, worshipping my risen Savior in church, and a family dinner after church. Little did I know that God would strike my family with the stomach virus! Not just my immediate family but my father, whom I help care for. So, this Easter I spent my morning taking care of my parents and my husband spent his Easter morning taking care of my kids. No baptism, no family reunion, no church, and no family dinner...couldn't even stomach that.

As I awoke this holiday morning, I recognized the difference immediately from Easters past. In fact, it didn't feel like Easter at all. It felt like any other day. I was reminded of how we get caught up in the traditions of a holiday and don't realize that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is to be celebrated always in our everyday lives. Without Jesus, the son of God, I would be bound by my imperfections to death. He gave me life – eternal life despite my sin. You and I don't deserve this gift He gave so sacrificially. Every breath I have should be in sacrificial service to Him – my Savior and my King.

While I missed the holiday festivities and struggled with my attitude in the beginning, I was challenged by this scripture:

 "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:5-11 (HCSB)

I ended up taking this untraditional Easter and celebrated Jesus's resurrection in service to Him. How could I not? I served Him while serving my parents in my Easter best – Pajamas!
Are you struggling with having to let go of your plan's? Do you need to change your attitude about it? Remember what Jesus did for you. Let go of your plan and serve God in His plan. Isn't He worthy of your sacrificial love? Let's celebrate His resurrection every day despite our circumstances.

"Jesus, my Savior and my King, I exalt your name above every name. Thank you for your sacrificial love. I let go of my plans to serve you. Help me to have your attitude, despite my circumstances."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014