I love it when the garden begins to fill with Spring f lowers and the blossom appears on the trees. I have even managed to plant one row of vegetables! To me it really smells like hope that the cold depressing winter months are gone, and the summer is within touching distance! Is Christian Hope different? As we approach Easter I am already looking forward to a big shoulder of lamb and chocolate Easter Eggs! I will even break my healthy eating plan for them!! Hope has been the theme of our reflections this Easter and Easter Day is right up there, full of Christian Hope. So how is Christian Hope different from merely hoping for a good summer? Well, I came upon this definition of Christian Hope. I know that summer is coming because I see the evidence which drives my optimism- flowers, blossom and things beginning to sprout in the garden. Hope in the Christian sense is “a certain assurance that God is faithful to his promise and will deliver for his people even when outwardly there is no evidence that anything is going to change for the better”. On Good Friday Jesus destroyed the barrier keeping us from being with God by taking on all human sin and dying for us, because he loves us. He Jesus destroyed the barrier... overcame that sin, and defeated death for us as being our final resting place. His death and resurrection mean that all we must do is have faith and we will be with him forever in eternal life. What a huge sense of Hope! Moreover, he did this because he loves us and wants the best for us. As we look around the world, it does seem a very dark place, and there are times when I can see no evidence whatsoever that things will get better. BUT if we have faith and believe in Jesus, then we know He will make things better. We just need to trust him. So, go on the Easter eggs hunts, eat chocolate and enjoy the Easter f lowers! It is a time of joy! Come to church to give thanks for all the good things we have and enjoy! Bask in his love and remember to hope. Happy Easter!

Blessings to all,               Vivienne