The following is a message from Stacy Wade, M.D., CMQ.
Easter brings to mind my childhood and the windy, chilly Easters we spent in Chicago. I remember pretty new dresses in pastel colors, bountiful Easter baskets, and my sister and I fighting over who had the biggest chocolate bunny. But the most exciting events of the day were always church and the amazing Easter meal that followed.
Easter Sunday, in the Christian faith, is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. It is a day of celebration. His death and resurrection (coming back to life) were the entire purpose of Jesus’s life on Earth. In His death, the imperfections of the world were taken; and in His resurrection, we were given new life.
Three days after His death, Jesus rose from the grave. It is from His death where we get most of the symbols of Easter. Often during this time of year, the cross is draped with purple cloth with a crown of thorns placed on top. The cross, after His death, now symbolizes the hope and love we have in Jesus. The purple cloth is a reminder of His royalty as the Son of God. The crown of thorns was placed on His head to mock and humiliate him. It now serves to remind us of His suffering and the sacrifice He endured to free us from sin.
As I prepare for Easter this year, I feel the pressure of making sure it is picture perfect. I want my kids to have cute new outfits, and I want to find the perfect dress. I hope to surprise the kids with fun Easter baskets that will make them smile and know how loved they are. I’m hosting Easter this year, so of course I’m envisioning our dining room table filled with a beautiful ham, buttery mashed potatoes, green beans, and warm fluffy rolls. Dessert is set to be a beautiful two-layer cake I saw in a magazine that I’m convinced I can recreate.
In reality, this daydream of perfection won't happen. More than likely, one of my kids will end up with chocolate smeared down their new shirt before church, I'll trip and fall in the high heels I wear next to never, and someone will burn the rolls. Hopefully in the middle of life's chaos, I will pause and see the bigger picture and remember we were never meant to be perfect. After all, Easter is the day we celebrate the only one who was - Jesus.