Guest Post: Shellie Neumeier
I love this time of year. Not because its springtime—spring in Wisconsin could mean anything from hot and humid to snow and sleet. It's Easter. Cute fuzzy bunnies and yummy marshmallow chicks and don't get me started on the hard-boiled eggs—yum!
The best part of Easter has nothing to do with farm animals and breakfast food, though. When I think of Easter, I think of the greatest sacrifice ever made. The gift Christ gave us—life and love. And the story of Peter.
What? You don't think about Peter when you think on Easter? Maybe it's because I am like Peter—a bit overzealous, impetuous, and impulsive, and for me Peter's story puts the exclamation point behind the Easter story.
Consider this, if you were sitting among strangers waiting for word about Jesus, your best friend and someone everyone hated (as in to-the-death hated), would you have told three inquisitive souls you were His friend? Even if it meant being hated along with Jesus? Maybe even killed? I don't think I could have. I'd have been just as cowardly…as self-absorbed as Peter had been. And just as guilt ridden when the moment passed.
Easter didn't end there for Peter (or me). When Jesus returned, He walked up to Peter, who may have stood back from the group, maybe up against the wall like white-wash with his head hung low and his shoulders slumped.
"Do you love me?" Jesus asked Peter.
Can you picture it? At first Peter's answer may have come softly, but by the third request, he would have gained strength, confidence even.
"You know I do," he told Jesus.
As many times as Peter betrayed Jesus, Jesus gave Peter a chance to redeem himself. Sweet forgiveness. Yay! But it doesn't end there…
Jesus gives Peter a do-over.
"Then feed my sheep," Jesus says. Peter had a second chance to be a part of Jesus' team. To have purpose and dignity.
As if the incredible sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross was not enough, He followed it with this tender moment. So, if you find yourself hesitating to learn more about Jesus because you have junk in your past…it's cool. Jesus offers do-overs to those who love Him.
Happy Easter!
Author bio:
Married for over 20 years, Shellie and her husband have four wonderful kiddos and two goofy greyhounds. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, she went on to acquire an early childhood education certificate. Shellie also served in youth, children's, special needs and family ministries for over twenty-two years.
Now she enjoys teaching her teens how to drive and chauffeuring her preteens across the Wisconsin countryside. And once in a while, she loves to read big people books (you know the kind without pictures).
http://www.shellieneumeier.com/
Blurb from Driven:
Robyn can't help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the arrival of another being at Brookfield Central High School—a demon assigned to destroy her…Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school's prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal's request.
Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there's a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.
