Holy Monday: “Hear My Heart” by Amber Blakes
Years ago, I was asked to speak to a group of ladies who had also experienced a spouse, parent, or child returning home from war. It was a high tea, and it would be a room full of mostly strangers. I was flattered and nervous.
My connection to this group began a few months prior when I became a member of a book club that was reading When War Comes Home.
The tea was a gathering to celebrate completing the book and would take place the week before Easter.
My memory surrounding this whole occasion is fuzzy, but I do remember praying frantically for a topic to speak about that was meaningful, relevant, and maybe even a little life-changing.
Meaningful, relevant, life-changing…
Then it came to me.
I was speaking the week before Easter.
What other topic could be more meaningful, relevant, and life changing than the most famous death and resurrection in all human history?
I needed more though and knew deep down this message needed to be personal.
A personal Easter story.
What was my personal Easter Story?
What was lifeless but desperately needed a comeback?
What did I need to come back to life like our Savior did on the third day?
That was the topic, and it was a hit.
I don’t remember what I needed then, but now my personal Easter story could be about bringing back a laundry list of necessities that have died in my life:
- my workout routine
- a relationship with my father
- my dream of authoring books
- being free of credit card debt
- meal prepping
- date nights with my husband
I could go on.
What about you? What about now?
What’s on the Lampstand today? Your own personal Easter story: bringing life back to
something you desperately need to be alive again.
Pick something you really need to come alive. Be choosy and believe in it. This is important. Try it again, but this time with God.
- Plan a sitter for a movie time and go out with your lover. This was mine! I asked my guy “What day do you want to go see The Avengers?” He said, “Sunday.” Done.
- Sign up for a Planet Fitness membership and go. I’m preaching to myself here!
- Make a habit of texting one person a week you have lost touch with to simply reconnect.
Then keep doing it. Bring it back to life.
What do you need your personal Easter Story to be?
Luke 24:6 – He is not here, he has risen!
About the Author…
Amber Blakes is a masters level educator, a married mom of two, a bonus mom of one, and a fur mom with an affinity for books, writing, and sharing information. Her two-decade long career in education has afforded her many opportunities to provide professional development to hundreds of her fellow educators. She is the creator of her blog, A Lampstand-#M5:15. Amber spent her childhood in New York, and as a teenager her family relocated to the Lowcountry of South Carolina where she currently resides with her husband, children, and hound mix. In this scenic area of the country she became a follower of Jesus Christ and began her journey to become a writer. At any given time you may find her journaling, reading, writing, exercising, discovering new places with her family, enjoying a good meal, taking a class or having great conversations with friends. Visit Amber online here.
Connect with Amber on Instagram and Facebook.
The Christian Authors Network Holy Week Devotional Contest
The Christian Authors Network Holy Week Devotional Contest was created to encourage our group members to use their skills and talents to grow the Kingdom of God. We are so grateful to all of our participants and pray that the Lord would continue to use you in mighty ways. The devotionals in this series are the result of the contest, and we hope that each one blesses you as you reflect on the sacrifice of our Savior during this Holy Week. Thank you again for your participation, and may God continue to richly bless you.