Good Friday stirs memories of somber church services laced with ritual and homilies reminding us of the fact of humanity's brutal slaying of the Lord of life. But for our family it also holds sacred thoughts of the culmination of two weeks waiting for the inevitable words, "she's gone". Kind nurses and care givers fluttered about fluffing pillows or administering other kindnesses designed to make Mother comfortable as her 95 year old body slowly ground to a halt. We had sung everything we could think of and quoted or read all of Mom's favorite scriptures many times over.

It was during one of those precious times when she was awake but weak. We had sung another collection of sacred songs with Mother faintly mouthing familiar words with her waning strength. Someone began Bill Gaither's marvelous song, "Because He Lives".  Mother rallied, and for the last time we heard her deep throaty contralto belt out: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives!" It was Thursday, April 12, 2001. No one else in the room realized what tomorrow held, but I'll always believe Momma  did. After yet another long night spent doing whatever we could for our dear Mother, Good Friday was upon us. As the day progressed we could see she would be leaving soon.  We were all there praying, singing and just being together as Mother "faced tomorrow". All fear really was gone. And when the time of her passing arrived she just went quietly and quickly to sleep.  Jesus' resurrection had changed everything.

Hopefully all of us can face all of our tomorrow's...because He lives. Without the resurrection Good Friday isn't good at all. Without the miracle of Easter's vacant tomb Jesus' death that terrible day was just another sad, sick premature death of a fine young man. But with a flourish, the Angel said, "Come see the place where the Lord lay. He is not here. He has risen as He said!" Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!

Anticipating the resurrection!

Richard Orrell, Pastor