Reflections of Passover and Easter

This week is Holy Week for both Jews and Gentiles as we reflect on our common rituals and remember the sacrifices made for us. It is a time to consider what we were before the Lord came. We were all sinners in God's sight, not worthy of his notice. He had compassion for our plight, and sent his son to save us. Most of us rebelled. We didn't think we needed to be saved. We were thinking in one dimension, not two dimensions. We were blinded by our own arrogance and pride....much like Pharaoh was when he refused to let the Israelis go. He, like we do, needed to be literally shown that it was in his best interest. We do balk, not understanding what the Lord has in mind for us. We reject him repeatedly. Yet he didn't turn his back on us. He could have. There was no reason why he should have let his son suffer so....nor was there any reason why Jesus decided to die for us.

When I reflect on this season, I am awestruck by the extreme sacrifice. Jesus didn't take the easy way out....Moses didn't take the easy way out either. Both followed God, even when it seemed as if nothing made any sense. By taking the mantle on, and leading the people out of Egypt, Moses followed the Lord's command. The Passover that is even now celebrated today reflects the sacrifice made by the Israelis who followed Moses out of Egypt....That sacrifice of a lamb whose shed blood marked the doorways of the houses occupied by the Israelis symbolizes the fact that the angels sent to slay the firstborn were deterred by the blood. The angels "passed over" the houses marked with the blood of the lamb.

That blood was also shed on the cross....Jesus is known as the Lamb of God. It was his sacrifice that paved the way for us to be free of our sins. We rejoice knowing that he is risen....He is risen indeed!

Want to go back to a simpler time

Yes, I definitely would love to go back to a simpler time. I have been feeling a lot lately that feeling of too many things pressing and clamoring for my attention. I started recently a new venture, trying to garner interest in local history. It is the one thing that is keeping me sane. I read about the people and places of long ago and sometimes long to be there instead of here. I know that way back they didn't have running water or toilets. I don't know if I could get used to that or not. I just think that it would be great if we could put this electronic monster back in its box. I'm tired of running up against young hotshots that think they know everything. They don't....but they don't want to hear it. They prefer to remain plugged in to their devices which keep getting more and more sophisticated that the average person has a hard time keeping up.

I guess it's a sign of growing old when you just want everything to slow down. You long for the days when you felt secure enough to take a breather and look around you. In this too hectic world that doesn't seem possible. You are required to be superwoman to everyone....if you're not....oh well...sorry...you can't work. What????......I have a lot of talent and I'm learning more every day, but I'm not as quick as I once was or as young.

I want to go back to a time when everyone was appreciated for what they could do with their hands and their minds. Nowadays it just doesn't seem that anyone really cares what you can contribute. Instead they are looking for robots that will follow their company's line without question. Yes robots can do that...and they have pretty much replaced human contact at most major companies. It's funny when I listen to the TD Bank ads....and realize that I'm not alone in this feeling...that somehow with all the technology we lost the human touch. I don't know about you but I get so frustrated with automatic phone systems that I just want to reach in and grab the person who decided that this was a good thing. How many good people were replaced when those systems came into place?....100....1,000.....I don't know, but the more I work with these phone systems, the more frustrated I get.

Trying to get past a scary point in my life

I don't know if you ever had a time in your life when you felt as if everything was falling down around you. I have. It hasn't been easy for me realizing that I'm so close to the edge of losing everything. I admit that it's downright scary. Everyone tells you that it's going to be alright. You tell yourself that as well. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn't.

Anyone who knows me, knows that this period in my life has been really rough. I had a rough time dealing with the fear and anxiety that comes when you realize that in a very short period of time you will have no money coming in at all. I know there are many in my situation, but that doesn't help. Actually it kind of exasperates it...makes it worse...to the point that I can feel myself sinking into despair. I am trying hard not to think about what will happen once the money runs out or the fact that I feel like banging my head against the wall every time I hear the words that are the bane of my existence....You've been unemployed too long for anyone to hire you. I want to scream but can't seem to let it out.

It is affecting me both emotionally and physically. I can't seem to focus on anything or get enthused enough to make the effort to be rejected electronically for the umpteenth time...or be electronically exposed to the masses. Believe me....It's no picnic...and I'm not eating bonbons as much I'd like to. It is times like this when I go back to the scene in the movie "Facing the Giants" where the quarterback is blindfolded and then is pushed verbally to give it his best....I know I can't quit...even in this scary point where I don't know where I'll be a month from now.

Finding time and trying to hold onto the important things

I had a very interesting conversation with Seth Bruggeman, the chairman of the Public History department of Temple University. I discussed my ideas, telling him that I was at the very beginning stages of what is now a huge project in regards to local history. I also had a good conversation with Sara (forgot her last name) about her group project on Collingdale. I told both of them that it was important that we do what we can to preserve (hold onto) the important things. Asking right questions is always a good first step towards finding the right answers. Sometimes, however, it's really difficult to find out what those right questions are. You wander around with your hands in front of your face trying to find a way out. You continue to "dig" hoping that this time you will see what you're looking for and discover the important things in life.

I know that there are many people that complain that there isn't enough time to do what you see needs to be done. The fact is that you need to take baby steps, walking towards your future. You got to consider what factors will deter you, such as time and money. You then have to figure out what's important...what do you want that person to do for you? How can we preserve this bit of history for future generations? Is it worth it? Once you figure that out, then you may have a clearer picture of where you're going. What barriers are there? Doing research on all of this will take time. You may, like I am now, feel like tearing your hair out. Stop....take a deep breath. Let it out. Pray for the Lord to lead you to the right people to discuss ideas and then cautiously more forward.