Devotionals for the Heart: Easter

Easter
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." ~1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV) 

I absolutely adore Easter. It is by far my favorite holiday. I love everything about it, from the bright colors of new spring outfits to the Easter egg hunts. Our family gathers each year to eat a big meal and visit. Some of the dads will hide the eggs while us ladies keep the kids occupied and try to prevent peeking. Then we let them free into the sunshine and listen to their giggles and squeals. After we find all (okay, most) of the eggs we settle in to open them and see what goodies the kids have found. The children run and play in the hopefully warm yard and enjoy the rest of the day.

We’ve had a few cold Easters, but I think I tend to block the memories of the chill-out. I’m a lot like a groundhog, I think. Or a momma bear. I get into this hunkered-down kind of funk in the winter months, and Easter is the first time I really feel like I’m coming out of my cocoon. Like I’ve been asleep all winter and now I can peel back the layers of gray and stretch into the sunshiny, flowery day of Easter with a huge smile on my face. With the birds returning and the animals waking, springtime is a wonderful time of rebirth. I don’t think it is any mistake on God’s part that Easter happens in springtime, do you?

More than anything, though, I adore Easter because of that great love God sent down for us. Without the love of His son Jesus, we could never know our own personal reawakening that is more than waking up after winter or simply waking up each morning. What Easter represents is the most beautiful love story ever told. A man, who was sinless and perfect, chose to take on my sins and bear them to a cross of agony in order to set me free. He died to prove His power over life and death, rising again, awakening again on the third day and attaining the victory that can never be taken from Him. And He chose to let me be a part of that eternal reawakening, even though I’m not perfect and even though I don’t deserve His mercy and grace.

His birth celebration is important, of course, but without the resurrection, the world never would have seen what a truly-miraculous, tradition-breaking, awe-inspiring plan salvation is. Without Jesus’ resurrection, once I slumber in death that’s where I would stay. But because of that mind-bending miracle, the one I can’t even try to wrap my humble brain around, I get to go to sleep in death and rise again in Heaven. Doesn’t that make you want to shout for joy?!

Many of our Christian holidays have become so commercialized, generations of children grow up believing that trees and eggs and candy and presents are what they are about at their core. I’m so glad I know the truth and am able to teach it to my children. Easter is a great time of reflection on my personal salvation story and a day I can spend in extra prayer thanking Him for loving me enough to die for me. For loving me enough to rise for me.

I hope this Easter you were surrounded by family who loves you, by a church who loves you, and by friends who love you. But I also hope you remembered that there has never been a more beautiful reason to celebrate. Easter is proof God loves you enough to want you in Heaven with Him and His Son.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Perfect Love

Perfect Love

A devotional by Sara L. Foust

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." ~1 John 4:18 (KJV)

It’s February and this is a blog about love, so I feel it is my civic duty to discuss Valentine’s Day. But, maybe, not in the way you expect me to.

Americans spend an astounding amount of money on Valentine’s Day related items. A whopping $20 million. Yes, you heard me . . . million! Yet, there are all sorts of television episodes of our favorite comedies and drama that detail the woes of Valentine’s Day and spending it (gasp!) alone.

I must admit, I am a fairly simple woman. I’m not a shopper. I don’t place a whole lot of value on material possessions, because, frankly, my husband and I have never been able to afford a great amount of the ‘extras.’ So, maybe I am not the one to say Valentine’s Day isn’t that amazing of a concept. I honestly cannot remember the last time my husband and I celebrated with more than a card or some candy. And that’s okay. Most of the time.

Sometimes, though, I look at all the extravagant romance and feel a little left out. People maybe younger than me discovering blossoming relationships who dine out frequently and just have that “look”—you know what I’m talking about. Our lives are crazy busy and we have five young children depending on us. That doesn’t leave much time for romantic dinner dates or even time alone just the two of us (or time alone by myself for that matter . . . you get the idea here). Maybe you have the same situation in your life. Or maybe you are single and have the innate fear of being alone on Valentine’s Day so often portrayed on funny TV shows. Or maybe you are a widow or widower mourning the loss of the love of your life. Or maybe you love Valentine’s Day and celebrate with enthusiasm each year with a spouse who is equally enthused. That’s amazing...if that’s you.

I say all this to say, yes, Valentine’s Day can be an admittedly lonely time of year. But, it doesn’t have to be. Worldly love is a wonderful thing. The love we have for our spouses, children, parents, friends, and extended family is beautiful. And we, as evidenced by the spending budget for this holiday, pour ourselves into this human-human love. However, it is far from perfect. There are glitches and differences of opinions, hurts, forgotten dates, and sometimes fights. There is a lot of growing required to love another human being, and sometimes as flawed people, we don’t do a very good job of it.

God’s love is never like that! His love is the most wonderful, all-encompassing, forgiving, patient, perfect love ever known to the universe. He is incapable of being imperfect, and, therefore, the love He showers down on us is always perfect. In every situation. For every need. At every moment in life. There have been times when I’ve had to remind myself when I’ve felt lonely or sad about the lack of romance in my life, that I am covered by the greatest, most powerful love available. I am never alone. I am never forgotten. I am never not loved. And I find that once I focus on that incredible fact, the worries about the lack of romantic moments in my life fizzle away. I am loved by a King! What more could I want?

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com. SaveSave