Love's Redeeming Work

Elijah and I were at Walmart the other day. We had a full basket and I was exhausted and had a headache and just wanted to pay for our groceries and get home.  But Walmart was packed and every cash register was busy and the lines were 3 and 4 carts deep.  We got in one line and waited and waited.  We looked at each other and realized that we got in the never moving line from hades.  So we looked down and saw a bit of a shorter line and decided to make a change. 

 

I went ahead and got in place.  Elijah was pushing the cart around people and obstacles to get to me.  A lady showed up with her full cart to get in the line.  I politely told her that I was there and motioned towards my son.  She smiled and moved on.  I was relieved.  Just as Elijah rounded the corner to move next to me... a man in a wheelchair came up cutting Elijah off.  I tried to explain to him that we were in line.  He began to berate me.  "Where's your basket? I don't see a basket!"  Helpless I watched as he moved ahead of me and started to tell the people in front that I had no right to stand there without a basket.  Embarrassed I quietly informed him that we had already been standing in line for quite a while which was why we had moved.  He didn't respond. 

 

I stayed in that line behind that man and grieved.  I grieved my response.  I grieved that I was mad and tired.  I grieved my witness to my son.  I grieved that I failed in showing kindness to someone who was in a wheelchair.  I grieved the  fact that I fail.  Often.  My selfishness.  Tiredness.  I too often rip over people.  Wanting what is mine.  Refusing to budge when it comes to my rights.  My spot.  My way. 

 

We got in the car - Elijah upset at the man.  Me.  Upset at me.  I drove away thinking about my failings.  What I should have done better. 

 

He is Risen.

 

What does that mean? 

 

For me - forgiveness.  A washing of my sins. 

 

Here's the honest truth about me.  I fail. On a daily basis.  I get angry.  I'm rude.  I'm selfish.  I steal joy.  I get defensive.  I gossip.  I am sometimes less than truthful.  I am lazy and stubborn.  I want what's mine.  I am human.  I desperately need a Savior.  I can't wash myself enough times to rid myself of the grime of sin that clings to me on a daily basis.

 

 

He is Risen.

 

What does it mean?

 

To me...  It means freedom from the weight of sin. It means adoption.  It means new life.  It means that death loses its power over me.  It means hope.

 

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

 

 

I'm not stuck in my sin. I have a Savior.

 

One who gives GRACE and FORGIVENESS to me when I am less than kind to a less than kind man at Walmart.

 

LOVE'S REDEEMING WORK IS DONE!
 Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

 

HE IS RISEN!

 

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

 

 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

 

 

ALLELUIA!!