I knew the meaning of Good Friday since I was peanut, thanks to Gram and Nancy taking us to church each week but it wasn't until the after 2004 that I understood the humbling meaning and significance of Jesus' death. He was crucified on the cross for my sins. Although He bore no sins of His own, He chose to die for me and for you.
My only sister, Heidi M Allen, was kidnapped on April 3, 1994 ~ Easter Sunday. I remember asking, "Why would someone kidnap a person on Easter?" The law enforcement's response to this question left me to shake my head in disbelief. Criminals thrive on holidays because there are less people frequenting the store, less traffic on the road, and minimal law enforcement patrolling. Seriously?!
I spent a decade avoiding Easter celebrations, blaming God, and Easter. In truth, the only thing the holiday, Easter, had to do with Heidi's kidnapping was it made it an ideal day to kidnap Heidi. The kidnappers used the silence and innocence of our town to their advantage but thankfully God works for good in the worst of situations.
My only sister, Heidi M Allen, was kidnapped on April 3, 1994 ~ Easter Sunday. I remember asking, "Why would someone kidnap a person on Easter?" The law enforcement's response to this question left me to shake my head in disbelief. Criminals thrive on holidays because there are less people frequenting the store, less traffic on the road, and minimal law enforcement patrolling. Seriously?!
I spent a decade avoiding Easter celebrations, blaming God, and Easter. In truth, the only thing the holiday, Easter, had to do with Heidi's kidnapping was it made it an ideal day to kidnap Heidi. The kidnappers used the silence and innocence of our town to their advantage but thankfully God works for good in the worst of situations.
The first car on the scene, a sheriff's deputy. People remembered the time they drove by or left their money on the counter because it was Daylight Savings Time. It snowed that morning, so this slowed traffic down. Although it was a horrific and tragic day ~ I realize now it wasn't God who took Heidi but instead it was God who used the holiday, Daylight Savings Time, and the purity of snow to help in the search for Heidi.
Jesus died so I can live free of my sin. It doesn't mean I should go about my day sinning on purpose. It is quite humbling if you think about it and a good reminder to not sin. I might get in trouble for my sin, regret a bad decision, or have someone point their finger at me in disbelief (because I am human as the next person) but a sinless man, Jesus, died for my sins.
It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Do you see that little girl looking into the camera with a question on the tip of her tongue? I don't know what I was thinking that day but I've always asked a lot of questions.
This year, instead of asking questions about the details in life, I encourage you to ask the important question...Who do you trust with your life? Have you trusted your life to Jesus? He died for you too...
It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Do you see that little girl looking into the camera with a question on the tip of her tongue? I don't know what I was thinking that day but I've always asked a lot of questions.
This year, instead of asking questions about the details in life, I encourage you to ask the important question...Who do you trust with your life? Have you trusted your life to Jesus? He died for you too...
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