But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember, how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.
Luke 24:1-7
Just like how quickly sorrow can overtake our lives, hope, too can upend it. Hope and rebirth, resurrection and wholeness violate our unbelief and forgetfulness. Welcome this intrusion! Let the dazzling newness and unimaginable truth overcome you. Fall to your knees. Come to your feet standing on the solidest of grounds, to again, walk on the renewed path that your name is written on.
- How have you engaged with heartbreak, pain or suffering?
- How have you embraced joy?
- How are you uniquely made for this time?
- How have people shown up for you?
- How have you shown up for others?
- What reminder can you take with you into this coming week?
Oh may we celebrate and rejoice as much as we mourn and hurt! Jesus is risen and that means the sun always rises, that we are not alone, never was and never will be. Love you.
Are you there God? 
1. I saw my propensity to be irritated and be judgmental and that really made me sad, like those parts of be are unchangeable. Instead of running, I shared it and I pressed in and found underneath it, my loneliness and sadness, and that my greatest tool is gratitude and presence. Seeing the number of people dying in vulnerable populations, those who are forgotten before and especially now made me so angry. I pray for a greater sensitivity to the pain Black and Brown communities feel, now, always and to find ways to be an advocate.
2. I was included in an acting class that rocked me. The level of connection and love and vulnerability in the class made me feel that..”this is where I’m supposed to be. this i know how to do. show up.” I wrote a song for my mom in a day that I’m really proud of! Calling people who are elders for City Councilmember David Ryu has been a highlight of my days.
3. I have such a desire to inspire, to encourage to guide others through pain and suffering and to people hold space for those things/people that they don’t typically think about. It’s given me a boost in my creativity and in my conversations. It gives me a something to do during this time when we all can feel restless and alone.
4. Christa’s generosity. Leah driving over to drop my mail. Dionne accepting my apology when I blew up on her. Sophia calling me.
5. Driving to Nico to give her a silly card. Making a video for mom’s friend to give her a dose of joy.
6. I do not need the outside validation to be who I am as long as I hold to my integrity, my calling, and to what God has for me.
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