Tha' Easter Fire

Growin' up Mamma would dress me 'n my sister, Ditsy Lou, alike on Easter Sunday. We wore tha' same dress, hat, gloves,'n black patent leather shoes. Everyone at church would be dressed up too. As a matter of fact, there were more people at church on Easter than any other holiday. It had gotten ta' be a fashion show.

Aunt Sophie loved ta' show off her new high heels.  Some of tha' ladies wore big hats. I'd always get stuck sittin' behind one of 'em 'n couldn't see tha' preacher - or anything else for that matter. Tha' men fought over who was wearin' tha' funniest tie. One year Old Buck won hands down. He wore a tie that was a bunny rabbit holdin' a basket, 'n ya' could reach in 'n pull out small chocolate candy eggs.

Then one year somethin' happened that changed tha' hearts of people 'til this day. It's an Easter I'll never forget.

Ya' see, Rev. Leap Hopper had just started his sermon when tha' fire alarm went off. Then water, from tha' sprinklers, sprayed everywhere. Everyone was in a panic. Rev. Hopper leaped up tha' aisle 'n opened tha' door so people could get out. Great Aunt Gladys was upset 'cause her new hat was ruin'd. Aunt Sophie broke a heel on her shoe, 'n Rosa Lee got punched in tha' eye by Elma Lee Mayberry's pocketbook as they were runnin' out of tha' door.

Tha' fire truck came. Ta' everyone's relief, it was a false alarm. We all gathered 'round tha' dogwood tree outside our church. Mamma started singin' "Because He Lives". One by one we all joined in. After tha' song was over, it wasn't 'bout new shoes, hats, or ties. It's 'bout our relationship with Jesus 'n sharin' Him boldly with others!

Jesus was humble. He wore simple clothing 'n shoes. Tha' King of Kings rode a donkey on His triumphant entry.

Matthew 21:7-8 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.  And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

God, thank ya' for your sacrifice, your Son, Jesus. Keep us humble 'n focused on you! Thank ya' for your grace 'n blessin's. In tha' name of Jesus, amen.

Things 'ta think 'bout:

1. What does Easter mean ta' ya'?
2. Do ya' fully know tha' greatness of God's sacrifice?

Wishin' ya'll a Happy Easter! God bless ya'lls hearts!