In Between

I’m a little weird, but today is my favorite day of the year. No, it’s not my birthday or any anniversary or even Christmas. It’s not the first day of Spring or any other “special event”. It’s this small, seemingly insignificant day – or full 24 hour period, that falls between Good Friday and Easter;  when we pause to remember the day Jesus was crucified and the day Jesus arose. Every year I try to put myself in the shoes of his loved ones and followers. Try to imagine the horror, the fear, the disappointment, the seeming rejection. There had been so much hope, so much love, so much more to hear, to learn, to do. Had they been crazy to follow this man and give up so much, for what? For this? This day of sorrow and emptiness. Now what? Now where? 

This was not part of the plan.

So, I know the outcome. And they would too. But for this one day, they were somewhere in-between. This is the part that makes this my favorite day. This reminder that God is all about working a plan. That he’s not afraid for us to feel. That this in-between space that mocks faith and hope is not all that remains of this story – and here’s the best part – or any story. Because honestly, this is where I live most of my life. In between. In between trips to the grocery store. In between a start date and a deadline. In between pay day and [you name it]. In between diagnosis and healing. In between dreams imagined and dreams realized. Always in between.  But I love this day, this one day sandwiched between the cross and the empty tomb. This one day that shouts out for all eternity, “There is hope while dwelling in the in between!”

This one day that reminds us that God is always up to something. Something eternal, not thwarted by our momentary un-comfort. God is strong enough to handle our misunderstanding, confusion, denial, accusations even. Maybe like a parent can handle their young child’s tantrum after stopping them from running out into the street. You look at them and think, “I just saved you!” And you still love them despite their public display of defiance, and lack of gratitude or understanding. And He still loves us.

I missed two opportunities to shine God’s light yesterday. Denial. I had to take medicine to help with a medical challenge. Where’s the healing? The clothes dryer quit working. Seriously?

This was not part of (my) plan.

Yep. I’m somewhere in between. My favorite day of the year.

Lamentations 3:21 But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.