LOVE

Today, my time in the Word was pretty sweet. I am home, and I absolutely love being home. One of the best things about it (other than my family and my great dog, Millie) is that we live on this beautiful river and our back yard is awesome.  I decided to go for a canoe ride to have my quiet time this afternoon, and it was a pretty great idea, if I do say so myself.
As I was sitting there in the canoe, taking in the beauty of Creation around me, listening to music that has moved me in so many ways, and having spent the last 24 hours with people I really love, I realized that all of these wonderful things are nothing compared to what it will be like in heaven. We have no idea how awesome it is going to be. And, even greater, we actually get to GO.  And the reason we get to go is because of Jesus.
Incidentally (which we all know is not actually incidental because God is freaking sweet and plans cool stuff like this), I ended the book of Mark today, which tells the story of Jesus's death and resurrection.  How cool that it just happens to be on the day before Easter?  I was reading the story and really thinking about how, because of what I was reading, I am able to spend an eternity in heaven, which is far greater than anything I have ever experienced or could imagine.  I was so struck with the question of, 'Why???'  Why did Jesus die for me? I sit among the scoffers and beaters and throng that yelled, "Crucify him!" and yet, He died for me.  I almost can't handle the hugeness of that.  I have never been able to understand why. Why is my life so great? Why am I so blessed? Why does God love me? Why do I get to be a part of this Kingdom, and an eternity of bliss? I don't get it, and the only explanation is Love.
Jesus loves is in a way that we will never understand, never realize, and never come close to achieving ourselves. His love for us so far from anything that we could ever give to anyone, yet He gives it to us in completely selfless, unconditional, abounding ways.
This is what Easter is about. It is about Love.

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.