ALLELUIA!

Spring seems so much more festive in Atlanta than it has been for us in the past few years.  After a colder than usual winter, the trees are in full bloom and beginning to burst with chartreuse leaves. It seems amazing to me that after several deep freezes here in the South, bulbs still shoot forth tulips and daffodils.  Life still exists. 

Over the weekend, Mandi of Vintage Revivals shared a photo of one of her succulents on Instagram.  With it she said, 

"Last week I put my plants outside for some fresh air and forgot about them, I woke up the next morning to succulents that were frozen solid. Most of them died, but this little guy is making a come back. I am so grateful for the Atonementof Jesus Christ. Even when we feel forgotten and on the verge of spiritual death he can heal us. He can soften our hearts and change our nature. His light is always more powerful than the adversary's darkness. Most importantly, He's our chance to try again. "

He's our chance to try again.  After a winter of cold, a year of struggle.  After death, heartbreak, sickness, poverty, bankruptcy, abuse, failure, and loneliness.  After impatience, messy kids, miscarriages, stillbirths, infertility, and pain.  After all of it, His sacrifice brings forth the spring daffodils in our life.  

In college, I sang in a choir where we performed the most beautiful arrangement of the hymn, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.  As I learned my part, the words spoke to me and resonated with the truth of Mandi's testimony.  Love's redeeming work is done, darkness veils the earth no more.  Once He died, our souls to save, where thy victory, O grave?

Christ the Lord is risen today, Allelulia!

Whenever I get to the allelulias, my heart swells with gratitude and a knowledge of the atoning work of our Savior.

I wanted to share the joy of this with you.  I wanted Christ's gift to us, the gift of life and comfort, to be familiar and welcoming.  So I did what I know how to do.  I painted.  I used the happiest colors I could think of and sang every line of the hymn as I hand-lettered the print.  And now I want to share it with you.  The print is up in my Etsy shop, available in a 5x7 and an 8x10.  I hope it reminds you of second chances, the joy of the resurrection, and the peace of a loving Savior's atonement for you.  Because, my friends, Christ the Lord IS risen today! Allelulia!


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