For some reason, this year, Easter has been a tricky season for me. 

I don’t hide from all of you that I am a Christian.  

But I also don’t put it front and center – especially in my work life. 

In my background in public education, it was a no-no to mix church and state.  So I got really good at keeping things compartmentalized. I was working primarily with at risk kids and their families and never wanted my religious beliefs to muddy any water – on either side of any sort of arbitrary spiritual continuum.

Now that my primary job is coaching and counseling privately, I’m super sensitive to the fact that I want ANYONE to feel like they can talk to me about ANYTHING and to understand that I can coach with 100% acceptance of their beliefs – regardless of mine. I don’t want them to assume I have any sort of religious agenda. 

So I don’t bring up God or religion with clients unless they do. 

Lately, the church I belong to has been placing more emphasis on Easter. I’m grateful for that appropriately placed prominence of such a powerful event. 

So, to add my voice to many that are speaking up about the topic as of late, here are 7 things I have learned from Jesus that I want to remind myself this Easter.

1. We can live with a purpose in our heart.

The more we listen to what’s true for us, the more we can feel a quiet pull pointing us in our unique directions.

2. We can make time and space for compassionate detours.

If we stop rushing just a little, we can better see who needs our attention.

3. We can allow people in our lives the grace to be themselves – ourselves included.

There is nothing more freeing than being known, loved, and seen – even in the midst of our messes. 

4. We can stay open to hope – even when we don’t have the whole picture. 

Even when things take longer (ahem, MUCH longer) than we’d like, we can choose to trust the timing of it all.

5. We can create things with our minds, hearts, and hands that only we can do.

We are meant to create – and few things feel as satisfying.

6. We can ask for a second (and even third, and fourth….) chance when we mess up.

Mercy is a gift that can be extended and received time and time again.

7. We can find something to love even in hard circumstances.

We just have to be looking. 

Live. Listen.

Make time and space. See.

Allow. LOVE.

Stay open. Choose to trust.

Create. 

Ask. Extend.

Look. And Find.

These are my Jesus words this spring. The ones I keep trying to scribble in the margins of my days. 

I can’t wait to hear which of these speak to you.  And if you’re sorting through what any of this means in your own life, I’d be honored to help.  Regardless of how you feel about Jesus. I promise.

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