The cemetery was full the other day.
Full of headstones, each representing a soul.
Each person precious to family and friends who are still alive.
Also full of Dogwoods.
As I entered, I noticed that they were in full bloom.
The white ones seemed to be brilliantly white that day……
I made my way to my parents grave site.
I brought artificial azelia’s, the same color bushes we had in our backyard, when I was a child. Many times Mom would tell us to stand by the azelias while getting our pictures made. They were planted by the patio my father had built before he passed away. So they always remind me of both of them whenever I see them blooming. They were always so pretty, especially at Easter.
I placed the flowers in the urns and pulled a few weeds here and there, glancing up at the tombstone from time to time. Engraved in the headstone were my Father and Mother’s names, dates of birth and dates of their deaths.
All of those dates, somewhat of a surprise. Sure their parents expected their date of birth…but wasn’t certain of the exact minute it would happen. Yet all the same they were expectant…..eagerly expecting their arrivals.
Same with their dates of death. They came….we knew they would…one day.
We all know it will happen one day to each of us, but we don’t know how or when.
As I thought about that, I gazed back up at those dogwoods shining brightly, listened to the birds chirping happily and soaked up the warm sunshine.
Noticing the tombstones all lined up in rows, I was reminded of a conversation I had with my mother one day when I was younger. Maybe it was even when we were placing flowers at my father’s grave…so many years ago.
We talked about the headstones in this cemetery, and why they were all facing one direction…. East.
She explained that Jesus, one day, would return in the East.
Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
She explained that scripture tell us…nobody will know for certain what day or what time it will happen. But that Scripture teaches us to be ready.
We are to be ready by accepting Christ as Savior, then living a Christlike life and telling others about Christ as He commanded. His last words before He ascended into Heaven are found in Matthew.
Matthew28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
So with great hope and expectation…..the people ( in this cemetery) are buried facing the direction that Christ will be returning.
I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about that talk.
Here I was….standing at the graves of both of my parents all these years later.
He hasn’t returned yet….but He will.
We don’t have the exact date or time but we live expectantly, knowing that one day it will happen.
Here it is….the week of Easter…..
Was it a coincidence that the Dogwoods would be more beautiful than I ever remember seeing them…… reflecting the price Jesus paid….by their very shape and design.
Each Petal shouting the story of the crucifixion.
Petals where the shape resembles a cross, with interesting marks representing where the nails pierced His hands and feet. Even the reddish color that reminds us of the blood that was shed for the remission of our sins. The middle looks something like a crown, yet His was not a pretty one.
It was a terrible, cruel, painful death.
For me……..
For all….. who have ever lived and ever will live.
No it’s not a coincidence, it’s just one of the many ways God continues to comfort me and gently reminds me.
That death is not the end for one who has accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
Because He was the Son of God…..
Because of His empty tomb…..
Because He Arose from the dead….
Because we believe and accept……
We have HOPE
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first
No more sorrow…no more pain……
No more mourning……no more tears.
The great reunion that will take place.
We will be in Christ presence, and reunited with our loved ones who also believed and accepted.
He paid the price….
Yes, it’s Easter…..the very reason….we have Hope.
I've Gone Country 