04 Apr Easter Is My Favorite Holiday

Dear Westwood Family,

Happy April! As I’m fairly sure none of you know about me, Easter is my favorite holiday. Partially for the birds and bunnies, partially because I love Spring, but mostly for the story behind it and the reminder it brings me each year as I move through Lent, Holy Week, and the day itself.

The grief of Good Friday, the uncertainty of the following day, and the joy of Easter echo the cycles of resurrection I see in my own life, the times I have been so sure the story was over, that the light had been put out, only for hope to appear where I had seen none before. There is a beauty in this cycle, in the wonder and delight that comes from seeing the butterfly crawling out of its chrysalis, even though a part of us knew it would all along (a metaphor beautifully discussed in Pastor Molly’s sermon).

In Grapple, we spent the Lenten season discussing the story of Simon Peter, circling back again and again to the humanity of him- his doubts, faults, stubbornness, and loyalty. We talked about spiritual imposter syndrome, which Simon Peter seems to suffer from as he questions his own worthiness and deservingness of Jesus’ company and love throughout his various appearances in scripture.

When I think about Peter before and during the time of Jesus’ death, I think of how hopeless he must have felt, what a confirmation it must have been that he was never worthy or deserving of love to begin with, that all was lost and there was nothing he could do. I know that feeling well, and I’m sure you do too. Doubt is often knocking at my door, and it is all too easy to let it in.

This past Sunday, we experienced our own micro-ressurection arc during what will go down as The Delayed Bunny Incident of 2024. There was an expectation of how the morning would go, and those expectations slowly dimmed as the clock ticked on and the bunnies we had been promised were nowhere to be found. Instead of losing hope, however, our community came together, ate tea sandwiches, and folded paper crowns, realizing, just as the disciples surely did, that it was up to us to create something beautiful out of the desolation we faced.

Lucky for us, the extinguished hope of holding bunnies on Easter blossomed into disbelief and then excitement when they finally arrived, and I feel sure that the joy of the children in that moment rivaled that of Simon Peter when he was able to reunite with his dear friend and teacher after a period of such intense doubt, fear, and sadness.

Of course, The Delayed Bunny Incident is only one small example of the resurrections we experience every day- the places where hope, potential, and wonder emerge from brokenness and desolation. In Dr. Carter’s sermon, he spoke about despair and presumption as opposite sides of the same apathy coin. As far as the bunnies go, I think we as a community found a pretty good balance, engaging with our young ones in different ways, offering them crafts and temporary tattoos, all the while keeping an eye on the door, hoping the floppy ears would soon arrive.

The story of Easter tells us that it is not foolish to hold on to hope, that if we only keep moving, surely a new day will dawn. It tells us that not one of us is beyond forgiveness or redemption. It shows us that grace, forgiveness, and redemption are not given based on what you do or don’t do, but rather because you simply are, and that is enough.

May you feel the hope and grace that surrounds us all, this week and always.

Keep the faith,
Everest