Easter Shmeaster

So with all the changes that have gone on in our lives this past year, this so far is one of my favorites. Matt and i have finally figured out where each other are spiritually, and that's on pretty much the same page. (phew, what a relief!) So this year were celebrating Easter not just with our own families, but also our church family. Last year we spent Easter together, but it involved nothing about Jesus or church, just food and family. This is the first time i have noticed the huge difference from our old lives to the new one we are trying to create. Instead of holidays being about who's house are we going to, what dish are you bringing and how long do we have to stay...its about the real deal, and it's so much bigger than any of us that we can step back and appreciate the real reason we are all getting together in the first place.
Last year at this time I was consumed with work, at a job i was unhappy with and just doing it because i figured work wasn't supposed to be enjoyable, hence the name right? Wrong. I found a job that was flexible, weekends off and holidays...a dream come true if you have ever worked in the retail industry. I used to miss all the holidays, even Christmas and Easter most years because of work. It really makes you think, what is the world coming to when we make stores stay open for 24 hours on a holiday so we can shop...what about the holiday? What happened to celebrating at home with your family and friends? It's all about money and "things" now instead of bonding and learning and celebrating. So this year, i am most thankful for my new church family, who are amazing and have really been a critical part of Matt and I's ever changing lives. We thank God for them every night, because without this new group of people to guide us in the right path, and keep us on it...we would surely be wayward children in our Christianity. I never knew how much a difference being in a small group would make for us, but it has taken us from "sunday" Christians to participating, active Christians. Happy Easter all!