Loneliness and Easter Week

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> Easter week...ahh...this was historically one of my favorite weeks in the entire year. As a Christian, it has always been the cornerstone of everything I believe. If there is no cross, there is no grace. "By His wounds, we are healed".
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> My son, Thomas was born on Easter and was given 20+ stuffed bunnies as a result. Years later, we took on a Florida White bunny named Snowy who was "part of the family" for 8 years. Not only did Easter week hold my beliefs under a microscope, but I had a very personal connection and memory with my son's birth.
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> 10 years ago, much of this changed, and my long-held Christian beliefs were challenged in a way I NEVER thought possible. Early morning phone calls "happened to other people". It was the evening of Passover 2004 when my nephew Shane took his last breath of life on this earth. I was busily preparing with the choir for Easter services and another full week of reflection, celebration and more. At about 6:00am Wednesday morning, my world turned black. By Thursday, the skies darkened (literally Maundy Thursday) and it rained. Our tears were mixed with God's...I felt pain internally like never before. My sister and brother-in-law had lost their 20 year old son...their only child. God has lost His only begotten Son.
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> Fast (or slow) forward to yesterday as I read another account of Jesus' last week on this earth. I heard something new. I knew the story but I had never thought of loneliness in this way. I have known loneliness. My sister has lived loneliness like no one can imagine. Christ also suffered with loneliness. You see, He knew what was to come. When He took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place where He prayed often, He needed a friend. Maybe he even more than one. The outside world had turned their backs on Him. "Stay here a keep watch with me". The Father of the universe actually wanted and needed a friend. I can relate! Now, I am able to live and laugh with my sister. We have created new memories, but sometimes we just sit...and keep watch. Sometimes we don't need to talk, but just BE.
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> Can you imagine having 12 very close friends have having one betray you? Maybe you have experienced this. How about if 8 of the remaining falling asleep when you need them the most? This may be in the form of radio silence from them. Now you have 3 friends and they are exhausted (ahh...the drama and the pain is too much). They also fall asleep and betray you. What do you have left? You have God. He is ALWAYS awake...waiting for your call...up at night...anticipating your pain.
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> Just this week, know that you never have to be truly alone. He is here...and it is forever!
> He is Risen!