Caralyn (Beauty Beyond Bones) reminded me about Emmanuel. I’m thankful you did my friend because I too have been having flashbacks as I fight loneliness.

Gibson’s Passion Of The Christ is raw when he took creative license in depicting Jesus and his mother. Their connection in present and past were excellent examples of what Emmanuel could have meant for them. Mary’s willingness to bear the Son of God should never be taken for granted, and I am in awe of that fact as she carried him for 9 months. She turned the world on its head by carrying Emmanuel. Jesus was a master lover, and Mel Gibson did an amazing job in showing how Jesus might have been moved by his mother’s love. Her love no doubt was an influence in his ministry because it was probable that John was the one he instructed to care for her from the cross. Wow. Even in extreme suffering the son of man loved his mother. Beautiful. The scene was anything but beautiful, but the concept of eternal divine love is breath taking.

As I kept reading Caralyn’s post my heart lay heavy for New York, not out of despair because I know my friend is going to shine bright in that city again, but because I don’t know how long we will be quarantined. I keep praying for what I prayed for on day one, that the Father will protect us, and that the powers that be will find a vaccine for this terrible virus.

Until then I am submitting to his kingdom, rule and reign over all our fears. He loves us beyond any level we can even imagine, and I’m leaning into that, albeit imperfectly, but faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Questions abound, and more people are going to die, but like we were reminded yesterday Jesus defeated death.

He is risen. He is risen indeed.