My phone swooshed around 5 am today–I tried to pull myself out of bed because I felt good and rested. I chose not to check the text and forced myself back to sleep. Then, in the middle of a weird dream, my phone made the swoosh sound again telling me to check my phone. Regi was downstairs, I’d developed a headache from oversleep, and I remained as still as possible so that the dogs would stay asleep while hoping Regi would magically appear with a hot coffee. I looked outside and saw it snowed a couple inches and that made me wish I was still dreaming and on a sunny island where it would never ever snow again.
I fumbled to the side table to see who texted. It was my aunt. Before bed the night before, she and I got into a conversation about something she’d discussed at her Bible study. I told her I wanted to discuss it more the next day and asked her to send me the scripture verse. That text that came through at 5 am; the first one I ignored. However, it was her next text, the one that woke me at 6:49 that alarmed me:
Have you heard the NEWS THIS MORNING?
I sat up immediately. What was she talking about? With the corona virus infiltrating my every thought, the difficulty separating fact from fiction, my heart sunk a bit. This was it, the big one, so I braced myself. A friend of mine told me that whenever the phone rings in the middle of the night, she’s already figuring out what she’ll wear to the funeral before even seeing who’s on the other end. That was me this morning.
Lying in bed, still groggy, head hurting, tooth still sensitive from last week’s root canal re-do, and no coffee, I went to the half glass empty scenario. I was afraid to ask too much. Did I even want to know bad news this morning? Instead of texting, I’d rather hear the bad news than read it. I took a deep breath.
“Did you hear the news this morning,” she asked.
“Is everything ok? What is it?” I didn’t want to say what I was really thinking. Who died? Who’s sick? What are you gonna wear to the funeral?
She laughed a little. Then with a voice that was full of hope and excitement, she said:
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “[a]Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.â€
8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them [b]and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus *said to them, “[c]Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.â€
Suddenly, I calmed down. We laughed and she said, “You went for it!”
“I don’t know why but I assumed you were gonna say something I didn’t want to hear. Thank you, Jesus. Finally some good news!”
I’m so thankful that today believers all over are celebrating Jesus’ life. Pastor’s are bringing messages to empty buildings, their message echoing over empty pews, yet The Story they tell will penetrate more hearts than ever before. This news is not a hoax. It’s from the Bible, the only true media you’re gonna find. And it holds the only good news you’re gonna ever hear. He is the remedy that the medical community cannot give. He is truth that goes beyond what politicians will attempt to speak. He surpasses what our President can convey. He isn’t a conspiracy theory either. He is life everlasting and I’m grateful His death has brought me life!
Happy Resurrection Day.
3 Comments
Amen!!! Always Good News!!
How are you gonna top that phone call with any other news since it’s the best news ever!!
Everytime I read this, I laugh, and then I Praise God because HE IS RISEN!! Maranatha! COME LORD JESUS!