Rise Up!

Today the Cafe is welcoming Jennifer Reyes!

The Day of Rest was over. The sun was coming up on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the grave. At once the earth shook and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He came and pushed back the stone from the door and sat on it. Matthew 28:1-2 (New Life Version)

Life can change in an instant.

I was in Connecticut one Sunday in November getting ready to go to church when I received shocking news. My grandfather had passed away early that morning. With just the snap of my fingers my heart went from peaceful to crushed (sigh).

It was a long journey back to normal. Grief is never easy. The hurt can paralyze you and leave a huge hole where your joy used to be. To say that you are a shell is barely sufficient.

So imagine how Mary (Jesus’ mother) and Mary Magdalene must have felt to see Jesus tortured, mocked, and crucified, right in front of their very eyes. They didn’t hear rumors of it while baking bread; descriptions of his bloody body weren’t described to them while they drew water from the well. No, these women had front row seats! They saw his blood flow, they heard the nails pound his body, and they felt the indescribable. But here comes the remarkable part! During, what had to be the darkest period of their lives, these two women rested and then they GOT UP. They arose despite the pain, despite the fear, despite the hopelessness. Talk about sacrifice!! Talk about understanding the message of the cross. They were the first to arrive at the tomb, and they were the first to receive good news!! In other words, they were the first in line for a miracle that morning!

Thoughts for reflection:

What about you? Have you been experiencing a dark period in your life?

Maybe like our two Marys, you have been a direct recipient of some pretty difficult moments. But don’t let it keep you down. It’s time to RISE UP! Honey, this could be your day to receive good news. This could be your day of deliverance. This could be your day of healing. This could be the day you see your situation through different eyes. Defeat will only delay your miracle. Take a lesson from our two precious sisters of antiquity. Move forward my Sister, to a new day, a new miracle, a new dawn.

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for the opportunity of a new day. With the rising of the dawn you have set into motion the events of this day. You know exactly what is going to take place just as you know the very number of hairs on my head. Lord, knowing that you are in full control, I welcome you into my heart and ask that you would begin to soothe my hurt and grief. Show me that there is life after pain. Lift me above the ashes of despair so that I can see my tomorrow. For I declare that you know that plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I thank you for your comfort in Jesus name I pray. Amen!

In Him,
Jennifer

Jennifer Reyes works in publishing and loves it! She’s Editor of Well Said…Newsletter, she’s a contributor of Romantic Times Book Reviews, and a member of ACFW. What began as a young lady loving to read soon blossomed into a woman finding God and in essence discovering true life. When she’s not writing she can be found watching her favorite I Love Lucy episodes. She currently resides in NYC with her husband of ten years.