(Jace enjoys driving in Annabelle’s pink corvette with circular motions. He is closely supervised when doing so.)
“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” – Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Easter is a holy and hope-filled reminder of new beginnings. It is the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead—a powerful event that changed the course of human history. But the resurrection is not just something we commemorate once a year. It is something we can live out daily when we open our eyes to the life-giving grace that surrounds us.
As I reflect on Easter this year, two simple yet profound lessons keep coming to mind: seeing the obvious blessings in front of us, and making time for the things that truly restore us.
1. The Obvious Blessings Are Often Right in Front of Us
There are moments when I simply walk through my apartment and quietly say, Thank You, God. Thank You for the roof over my head. Thank You for the laughter of my children. Thank You for the photo above my computer (a collage of family pictures), the one that reminds me of the gift of my family and the joy they bring into my life.
These are the signposts of God’s goodness—small, ordinary, yet profoundly sacred.
In John 20, we read that Mary Magdalene stood outside the empty tomb weeping, unaware that the risen Jesus was standing right beside her. She mistook Him for the gardener—until He called her by name (John 20:14–16). How many times do we do the same? How often do we overlook what is right in front of us?
Easter calls us to see again—to look at our lives with resurrection eyes. To recognize that the blessings we seek are often already present. We only need to pause long enough to notice.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” – Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
2. But Sometimes Gratitude Is Hard
As true and beautiful as these ideas are, I know from personal experience that it is not always easy to live with this mindset. Life gets overwhelming. Work can become repetitive or draining. Responsibilities pile up. There are bills to pay, deadlines to meet, and days when stress weighs heavier than peace.
Sometimes, we simply have bad days—days when we forget the blessings, feel disconnected from joy, and wonder how to keep going.
God understands this. Scripture never promises a life free from trouble. Instead, it promises His presence and peace within it.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)
Being thankful does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It means choosing to trust God even when life feels messy. Gratitude is not a denial of difficulty; it is a discipline of remembering that God is still good.
3. Rest Is Not Laziness—It Is Worship and Restoration
Another lesson I hold close this Easter is the importance of intentional rest. We live in a culture that idolizes hustle and busyness. But Jesus Himself rested—first in solitude during His earthly ministry, and then in the tomb before His resurrection. That sacred pause speaks volumes.
Rest does not mean inactivity; it means intentional renewal. Sometimes, that means quiet stillness. But often, it means doing something that brings joy, laughter, and life.
We need to give ourselves permission to enjoy activities that refresh our souls. That might look different for everyone. Some people relax with a movie. Others enjoy long walks, reading on the treadmill, gardening, journaling, or even writing a blog entry like this one. These hobbies are not distractions from “real work”—they are reminders that life is meant to be enjoyed.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.” – Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV)
Personally, I love hiking and traveling—experiences that help me step away from stress and re-center in God’s presence. These moments of pause are not lazy or selfish; they are acts of stewardship. We care for our souls when we step back from the noise and take time to simply be.
Closing Reflection
Easter is not just about an empty tomb—it is about full hearts. It is about awakening to the blessings we already have and choosing to live a life of joy, peace, and gratitude—even on the hard days. It is about making time to rest, to breathe, and to pursue what nourishes our spirit.
This week, I encourage you to slow down. Walk through your home with gratitude. Take time to do something you love. Open your eyes. The resurrection is all around you.
“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” – Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Prayer
Risen Lord, help me to see the blessings in front of me, especially when
life feels heavy. Teach me to rest, to restore, and to rejoice in the life You
have given. Thank You for the promise of new beginnings. May I live with
gratitude and joy, every single day. Amen.
*Here are some of our most recent family Easter memories. Enjoy browsing through these new photo scenes.
(Annabelle and Jace often visit the Bass Pro Shop to see the fish and animals. Jace poses with Mommy.)
(Lisa and I recently attended a Carly Pierce concert in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Tennessee Theater. Carly is a talented performer! The venue is historically magnificent!)
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(Annabelle and Jace regularly participate in swim lessons at the local YMCA. Annabelle seems happy with the group activities.)
(Annabelle and Jace pose with the Easter bunny at a church egg hunt. We won several prizes at this event with a free raffle.)
(Jace takes a ball with him almost everywhere we go, hence the football here in his arms.)
(This is a really good photo of Carly at the concert.)
(Carter Faith opened for Carly Pierce. Her voice was amazing with some catchy lyrics!)
(Lisa and I pose in the majestic Tennessee Theater before the Carly Pierce show.)
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