Easter....do I need a do-over?

27 March 2016

I am usually annoyed by the commercialism that the Easter holiday brings but, this year, I even feel cheated from that part of the holiday.  Not one chocolate bunny or colored egg.

Not one store had multi-colored baskets with fake green, pink, or yellow grass.

I even feel cheated of being able to roll my eyes at the little girl's basket created by the OCD mother who was obviously tutored by Martha Stewart herself (at least on-line!)! 

There was no build-up to the holiday at all.   Now that I think of it.... Good Friday was just a regular end of the week kind of day! 

It's Easter Sunday but I have seen no evidence of that!  We have gone from dawn to dusk and my Sunday is finished.  We attended two different Branches today.   Six hours of Church but not one mention of the Last Supper.

Not once did I hear about Gethsemane or Peter's anguish because of his predicted denials.

 
Not one talk focused on the Savior and His incredible, selfless, atoning sacrifice. No mention of a crown of thorns

or nails in His hands.

Neither in Sunday School or Relief Society was any word of His life or death.  I left both Church buildings thinking that this is the most empty Easter Sunday I have ever experienced.  How could a whole country miss Easter?

Then I was reminded (again)... I keep forgetting that many of our Cambodians are first-generation Latter-day Saints.  They know nothing about Christian holidays.   My bubbled shelter is showing, isn't it?   Just because I live in a Christian world doesn't mean everybody else does.   So Cambodia continues to surprise me and teach me every day.  

I have thought about today's Conference talks that were at the center of my Sabbath day.  They were about faith in Jesus Christ and the happiness and joy that He brings.  The question, "What Lack I Yet?" was also a focus .... wondering if I am really brave enough to sincerely ask that question?  And ultimately, would I be able to hear the answer and be obedient "with exactness" and allow the atonement to help me make that change? 

Maybe that's not such a bad Easter message anyway?!