mini vacation in Galena, Illinois! I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, but Easter is not about eating a lot of really good food, hiding Easter eggs, dressing up in pink and white laced dresses, taking pictures with the Easter bunny, and eating a lot of jellybeans. It's about the death and resurrection of Christ! In the Orthodox Church, Holy week is a very solemn time. We spend the week journeying with Christ to his Passion (so that we ourselves may "die"). And though we are called to prepare our hearts daily, during this week, we spend even more time in prayer, asking God to prepare our hearts and souls to wear the wedding garment. A garment worthy of being worn in God's eternal kingdom. Behold! The Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant who He shall find watching; and again, unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. Beware therefore, O my soul do not be weighted down with sleep, lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom. But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou O our God. (chant arranged after Matthew 25) Even though these words are sung every year during Lent, this year, these words took on a new meaning for me! He automatically gives each of us a wedding garment to wear. It's pretty, its white, its clean and it's pure. He holds it before us and asks us to wear it with honor and glory! It’s our decision to put it on. And it's our decision to keep it on. Even though I have been working really hard to keep mine on, it was starting to get a little dirty! Would you want to get dirt on your pretty pink and white laced Easter dress? Would you go to a wedding celebration with messy hair or without showering? More specifically, my heart was feeling ugly (becoming more frustrated and impatient with family and kids at school) and my soul had stopped growing good fruit (or so I felt). So after a long {and draining} winter at school and a solemn Lenten period, I was really looking forward to: A Renewal. A Fresh Start. A New Opportunity. And at the intersection of Christ’s Resurrection and Spring Break I found what I needed. Resurrection means revival. {A Renewal} Spring means to arise and move forward. {A Fresh Start} Galena, IL! A quaint and historic town. {A New Opportunity} Sure enough... right there in Galena, I - saw bright green grass and spring flowers. - felt warm (and gusty) fresh air. - saw history restored and maintained. God knows exactly what we need. Right when we need it. Thank you God! May the glory of Christ's death and resurrection renew your soul and guide you always. If you are wearing your wedding garment, I pray God continues to bless your journey and grant you the strength to keep wearing it. If you are not wearing it yet, I pray God opens your eyes so that you may see the beauty of the garment!
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