3 Easters

 I've experienced many Easters.

But there have been over 2,000 of them.

I remember most of those apportioned to me.  Family, friends, lonely, old, new and now have been my lot.

Here are 3 which have different perspectives to offer.

The first was when I was a student minister in the early part of it.

I attended Mass with some Catholic friends.  Then I served at my church.

Next I just made a morning service at an apostolic church.  At the time, my brother from another mother was an assistant pastor there.

Each experience was spiritual as well as among friends and convivial.

My BFAM, his then wife and several members of the congregation segued to lunch at a family style restaurant near downtown on 16th Street.

The conversation was quiet but not stuffy.  And noone said a word about my color.  We were merely Christians having Easter lunch.  

After we returned for an afternoon worship.  It was quite unlike my usual experience.  It was much more musical and openly joyous.  We sang and listened to a short sermon.  This was a charismatic service and music followed with folks speaking in tongues and dancing in the Spirit.

Interestingly, I wasn't nervous nor did I feel out of place.  Though the style of worship was unusual to me, I was accepted just as I was.  Isn't that the whole way of faith?  Besides, my BFAM and and I knew each other well.

I was introduced by him as a student minister to his congregation.  They insisted on a short address.

I was demure, saying I was from a quieter type of faith and didn't want to intrude.

The folks encouraged me, saying it was alright.

So, I gave a brief homily/testimony.  With cries of 'amen' and 'that's alright brother', I cheerfully concluded.  Never received applause before lol.

Then, there was a brief praise and healing service.  I met a guy who was young but a retired actor.  We never talked about it, just accepted our presence.  Since, I still recall his soulful HalleLujah.

The second was shorter.  It was near the end of my assignment at a downtown church.

We had several elderly folks.  Many were without family.  So, I was invited to one of the lady's home.  It would in later years be even more meaningful, as it was near where I lived with my wife and kids, practically round the corner.

We had a traditional meal and spoke of Easters past.  It was just a gentle afternoon and we were both thankful for it.

The third was a trip to Chicago with my wife and son when he was a toddler.

It was a quiet family afternoon.  I had ventured downtown and got him a chocolate bunny and chocolate eggs for my wife and me.

Quiet, love filled and full of gratitude.  Simple.

So there are 3 Easters.  Each different, but complete.  

Moments in life.