Spring has sprung. The weather is finally staying pretty for more than 24 hours, and it’s time to get out of our houses and explore the world around us.

Many people will be taking their first real steps outside this weekend to enjoy the Easter festivities. On Easter Sunday, many people do things out of the ordinary. Some people go to their family get-togethers on this day; some women cook on a Sunday (which is just wrong in my opinion) and most families find their way to a nearby church to attend the special Easter services.

What makes Easter such a special day? Is it the Cadbury chocolates that are stuffed in Easter baskets early that morning? Is it the smell of deviled eggs and ham going through the house? Or is the real reason behind the holiday, the resurrection of Christ?

In our family, it really is a touch of all of the above. Easter just wouldn’t be the same without Easter baskets and family but the main purpose of this special day is to remember what was sacrificed to give us the free gift of salvation.

This week is holy week. Sunday was Palm Sunday and many churches held special services to remind their members of that long-ago day when it seemed that everyone in the town was loving on Jesus. This didn’t happen often, so this really was a big deal.

The Messiah had come to town and the people were happy about it. There were donkeys being ridden and palm branches being waved.

But a week later, these same people who praised Him on Sunday, were condemning Him to death on Friday.

I heard a preacher say that the only good thing about Good Friday was the promise that Sunday was coming.

When that Sunday morning came, it was high time to praise. There were angels sitting on stones that had been rolled away and women crying in a garden. There were people who doubted like Thomas and there were those who immediately believed.

When you think back to that first Easter morning, do you ever wonder if you would have believed? I fear that I would have been right beside Thomas saying, “If I can see the scar in His side and his hands, then I will believe.” Thank God I was born on this side of the resurrection.

God has been so faithful to our cities and towns. Don’t you think it’s time to give Him a little praise for what He’s done for you? If nothing else, take a little time this Sunday to read through your Bibles and reflect on the true meaning of that holy day and have a happy Easter.