There are certain times throughout the year that lend themselves to reflecting on what has been and creating a new plan for what will come next. Easter is one of those natural defining moments for many Americans everywhere. We forgive a little more easily and wonder just what might be possible.
However, unlike the New Years resolutions or the thoughts of starting over that come with summer and bathing suits or a new school year and brand new number two pencils, Easter carries the message of something bigger. No, it has nothing to do with the chocolate bunnies or Easter parades, painted eggs or new bonnets.
The entire holiday is about a seemingly impossible promise being fulfilled and an entirely new way of defining our lives becoming possible. We can finally take off the weight of definitions that said we cant do something because its too risky or too late and just try.
Its as if we got permission to just be small, frail human beings and at the same time go for the really big dreams with a little added reassurance that things might just work out in our favor.
There was never even a part of the story, then or now, where our human fallibilities werent taken into consideration and we got the divine nod that it was okay. We could just be ourselves.
The evidence starts with once upon a time, a long time ago, when human beings got to witness a miracle or two in order to help them get over the hump of believing in something ethereal that loved them so much that all could be forgiven, just for the asking.
Faith started with some hands-on miracles.
However, the enduring definition of faith is that we go first and God meets us halfway. We jump off of the cliff of our own understanding where our sometimes very limited view of what could happen resides and we leap, hoping were not wrong.
The idea that we can embrace change and bring along all of our fear and flailing and it still works is the most amazing part of all. Its the best on-going proof that were always enough, just as we are for whatevers coming next. We dont have to become thinner or richer or younger or even more lovable. We just need to leap and well be met.
Thats grace and whenever we set out to do our best and be of service while having a little fun we carry a little bit of grace in our pockets with us.
So, lets get out the list of dreams weve been pushing to the back of our drawers but this time set out with a few twists. First of all, theres going to be no more surveying the neighbors and family to see if our quests are even a good idea.
No one can fill out the definitions of your life but you.
Second big rule is were going to all go looking for the solutions and not the problems. That means no one gets to tell us why they think it might fail but if someone has an idea about how to make it work, well stop and listen.
Third part of all of this is were going to take our eyes off of the end goal, stay in the day weve been given and only do the next steps in front of us that will head us in that direction. If that means we get the car tuned up or clean out our closets then thats where we start.
We give up on knowing where it will ultimately lead or how it will look and set out on the journey. This way, were all much more likely to notice the blessings along the way. I spent a lifetime of staring at the destination and ignored the victories like books being published and children growing up right in front of me.
The really cool part about being able to live like this is we are being of service to everyone around us who is watching in amazement at our joy and success.
Falling down and getting banged around but then letting it go even becomes a way of inadvertently letting others in on the secret. We can stop struggling quite so hard becomes someone else already did it for us a long time ago and better than we could, anyway. And, for just a moment in April we stop and say thank you for such an amazing gift.
So, enjoy your Easter holiday with your loved ones and set out on a remarkable life. Take a chocolate bunny with you and share with whoever you come across along the way. Ill see you there. More adventures to follow.
©2011 Martha Randolph Carr; distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
