The kids didn’t have school on Good Friday, which meant Steve planned a master breakfast and we sat around discussing the holy week and the importance of Good Friday – and answering the kids questions as to why it’s called Good Friday when it was really the darkest day. I think we were both pleasantly surprised with how well the kids participated and how long they stayed engaged. After a while we cleaned up the kitchen and the kids started to disperse. Steve and I were reveling in our ideal lazy family morning.

And then we received a tragic phone call. Our neighbor/friend had just passed away while on a work trip and his wife was unconsolable next door.  Steve and I dropped everything. When we walked in that door, we had no idea what we would face. Suddenly the phrase, “Mourn with those that mourn” took on a whole new meaning for me and I saw a depth of pain I had never witnessed before.

Its hard to describe the emotions of my mind and heart on that blurry day but I remember a couple things that kept coming to my mind: the thought of Good Friday, the discussion we had just had with our kids just minutes earlier and my very favorite Easter quote I posted last week.

Our poor friend experienced her darkest Friday and it was almost unbearable to watch. We spent the weekend mourning with her and at the same time celebrating our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his resurrection – the day that changed everything. The day my faith and hope is built on.

Today at church, I listened to a children’s choir perform I Know That My Redeemer Lives. It brought me to tears as I thought about our neighbor and several close friends who are mourning a loss right now and what the resurrection means to them as they cling to the hope of seeing their loved ones again.

What struck me is how many times it says HE LIVES. He lives for each one of us.

My favorite line is at the end of the last verse, “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”