room for surprises

today, easter is just beginning. fifty days ahead of us, seasonally speaking. had you asked me three days ago what my easter plans were, i wouldn't have had a clue. which is rare for me, because i like to make the most meaning out of each day and generally have a sense for the flow of events or activities. friday ended up a most joyous day filled with fun (which is another blog post in itself!) concluded by coloring beautiful bright easter eggs at a friend's kitchen counter. yesterday it was having time to sit down at the piano and write a "spring song" literally inspired by the 6:30 am songbird outside my window. and today as the sun rose over the silhouette of mount hood, i drove up to bald peak state park (which provides a stunning view of the valley) for their easter sunrise service. people have met there faithfully for over 80 years, which i pondered while standing under the same fir trees. i recongnized a friend and so gathered with them amid the early morning crowd, nudging in toward the center bonfire to sing along with a simple guitar. the speaker, a police chaplain, spoke of hope and gave the following acrostic: healing, optimism (i love that one!), peace and eternal life. coming down from the mountain, i decided to go for a run (thinking about how the disciples ran to the tomb) and then walk a local labyrinth. For You are good and Your mercies endure forever. You are beautiful. You remember that we are but dust. I'm alive because You're alive. these and other phrases lingered with my breath and cadence of steps. a friend happened to already be there when i arrived and afterwards she spoke of the "ketubah" (a jewish marriage contract) and also the hebrew word "yada" (to know) and how Jesus' sacrifice is like that contract; for the purpose of knowing us intimiately, face to face. thankful to find the spirituality of breakfast and stumptown coffee by this time (did someone say worship?), i read old testament connections to the new testament story of redemption, ultimately landing in psalm 136:8 & 9 "...the sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting; the moon and the stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." now for the courage to live out these truths intentionally. as i write, friends have invited me to a lamb supper. it's true, i may not have had easter plans, but Jesus had plans for me; good surprises for you and i long before the creation of the world. (*original artwork by caroline coolidge brown, agnus dei, 2011 mixed media)