Easter is Resurrection Day!
By Anne Arakaki-Lock
t was prophesied in the Old Testament:
“I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God. “ Job 19:25-26.
God’s timing is always so perfect. As I am writing this article, at the same time I’m now getting text messages from my cousin about my aunty’s memorial service and inurnment in Hawaii. As I contact the pastor, think about the program, and select Scriptures, as I think about the eulogy, I am so at peace and joyful.
You see, my Aunty became a Christian later in life, enjoying her newfound faith before her dementia set in. We went to church together when I was there caring for my mom. Aunty enjoyed going to the church at Kahala Mall. She often told me that she would pray. There was always something or someone to pray about. So as her memorial was being discussed last week, my uncle didn’t hesitate. He wanted a Christian service for her. I praise God for this.
I know where Aunty is. In fact, as family will be flying in from Seattle and the Bay Area to join our Hawaii ohana, we will look forward to an Easter-like day in Hawaii at Diamond Head Cemetery. Yes, it will definitely be a celebration.
I love knowing that my mom and dad, Jesus, are with her now. It is comforting. There is no guessing where Aunty is and how she’s doing.
Easter, Resurrection Sunday marks Jesus’ victory over death, showing us his power to conquer evil and to give us a pain free, loving, beautiful everlasting life with him. Aunty’s last few years with Alzheimer’s Disease were rough. But now, she will live a wonderful life in eternity with God. “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” Revelation 21:3-4.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26
Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
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