I don’t usually watch early morning television. I would rather have my morning coffee while sitting on my deck, watching the animals scurrying about. The robins are singing; the squirrels are busy scrounging for their breakfast while chattering at me.

This particular morning a few years ago, The Today Show featured its series about “Who is God Today,” and that piqued my interest. My first thought was why anyone would think God is any different today than he was yesterday or would be tomorrow. Then, I thought perhaps they were asking how is God different to us today. Perhaps. With that in the back of my mind, I began to think about the persona of God. After all he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. All inclusive with magic and mystery; space and grace; love and hope.

It wasn’t until I was in middle school that Easter became meaningful to me. I participated in local Easter Sunrise Celebrations. Friends would meet at a local church, usually in the pouring rain and with cold winds blowing. Our Easter outfits (dresses) and shoes would get wet. But it was Easter and everyone expected it to be that way. In Colorado, Easter is truly a beautiful time of year. After spending the winter confined to the indoors because of the cold temperatures outdoors, we can now fill our lungs with the fresh spring air that gives us hope for the warmer days ahead.

Christians all over the world celebrate Easter on April 20 this year. Having come through the period of reflection, atonement and mourning known as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, on Easter Sunday Christians will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

“Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!” Easter is a season of renewal and hope. By the time Good Friday comes around, Christians look ahead to the hope and renewal as Resurrection Sunday arrives.

Hope is a four-letter word that expresses a deep yearning in one’s heart. We all hope for one thing or another during our lifetime. I hope you have a good day. I hope your dreams come true. I hope you get well soon. Spring is a season of hope. All around we see signs of new beginnings; flowers blooming, trees budding, birds nesting, and we spring forward with longer days and renewed life. The calendar signals that this time of year is Easter time.

While watching nature come back to life we hope to see all things new once again. It may be a new life; or better yet, perhaps we will even get a new lease on life. Things happen that cause us to forget how meaningful our lives can be. Many of us look for a renewed spirit within us. We’re tired of being our old cranky self; we’re tired of being tired and feel the need to experience a renewal take place in our life. We want to be more tolerant, more compassionate and more loving. Whatever we feel is necessary to make our lives full of joy and more meaningful we need only to look to Jesus.

I didn’t finish watching the series on the Today Show, so I don’t know if they ever found out who God is Today, but I can tell them I know who he is. He is the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end; He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is our all- inclusive, loving father; The Great I Am. Celebrate his resurrection today. Easter is within us. HE LIVES.

Email Betty Heath at begeheath690@aol.com.