THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
What comes to mind when you think about Easter?
To children, Easter eggs, probably. To adults, gathering for a family meal.
As a father, both of those things are what I think about.
However, I also remember why we celebrate Easter in the first place.
That reason is the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the spring of 33 A.D. — I’m more familiar with the Gregorian calendar than the liturgical version — Jesus Christ of Nazareth was put on trial.
While there were no crimes Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, could reasonably assign him guilt, the raucous crowd demanded Christ be crucified.
After receiving numerous lashes from whips and being forced to carry a cross, Christ was nailed to the beams.
He suffered and died, but something miraculous happened three days later. When the guards opened the tomb, it was empty.
According to Christian tenets, Christ — the son of God and the Messiah — defeated death and rose again.
While the pain he endured seemingly was unbearable, Christians believe Christ went through all that agony for one reason — to pay for our sins. Christ did this so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with him when we die.
Celebrating Easter not only is a good reason to reflect on Christ’s love for us, but it’s also a good time to start new beginnings. On Tuesday, I will have gone two weeks without my gallbladder.
When I woke up from the surgery, it signaled a new beginning for me. I had to adjust to a new diet, not being able to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds — including my two daughters ages 3 and 1 — sleeping on my back or left side and making sure I take my medicine.
Now, I’ve gone back to some of my habits.
On Thursday, I was able to pick up my 1-year-old for the first time since the operation.
However, the 3-year-old and the weight room will have to wait until Wednesday when I have my follow-up visit with the surgeon.
I pray and hope for clearance to return to my old ways of picking up my children and working with weights.
Another thing happened after I woke up from my surgery. I discovered how valuable my walk with God should be.
I haven’t been the greatest when it comes to carving out time to pray or read the Bible, but I’m making headway. It might be baby steps, but progress is progress.
I normally don’t write columns about my faith, but I will do so from time to time.
Matthew 10:33 says, “Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my father in Heaven.”
That is the last thing I want to do.
Without my lord and savior — and a few good nurses and doctors — I would not be writing this column.
Happy Easter and remember why we celebrate. Thanks be to God.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason. chlapek@granitemediapartners.
com.
