My Easter Bunny

When I was very young, I had a stuffed rabbit that I received as an Easter gift along with some candy in that green straw that turned up everywhere even weeks after Easter was over. I don't know whatever happened to that critter, or to any of the others I had. They seemed to disappear, even though my younger brother's stuffed puppy with the fur rubbed off was around for a long, long time.

When I arrived on the Olympic Peninsula, I went to a craft show and found this very large girly bunny who just called out to come home with me. I have to add that I am not a stuffed creature collector so I was just as surprised as my girlfriend was when I said "I think I am going to buy this bunny..." and did.

Now it is Easter week and it is time for this bunny to get a good name. Her creator gave her a name, but I don't like it. Here is the challenge for my readers. I need some suggestions for this creature that is a kind of muse for me.

Even if you opt out of that exercise, I hope you have a wonderful week leading up to Easter or whatever portion of the calendar that means 'rebirth, renewal, and light' for you...

Redemption

Easter is a new beginning. Spring offers hope for the summer, fall and winter to follow. All the newness of the time is a reminder of the Redemption bought and paid for by the Christ energy of the past. In the Bible, the Old Testament is a story about a time when mankind had to work and work only to receive a reward after death. The New Testament is a story about one man who worked and worked to give the message that rewards of this life are here and now, if we care to see them. "All this and more can you do," Jesus said. It is true a lot of church messages are that if you are "good" in this life, you will be rewarded by a trip through the pearly gates instead of to some dreary hot place. But forgiveness and being redeemed for the "sin" of _______ (fill in the blank) can and should happen now.

Our power is not in the government, but in ourselves. We are all of one "blood," and whether or not you are a believer of the story of Jesus Christ, it is undeniable that no matter the color of an individual's skin, when pierced, the blood flows red. When we allow the governments to segregate us by color of skin, beliefs, status or other means, we forget who we are and we will lose our 'Redemption.'

In Matthew 22:36 the people ask of Jesus: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

My grandmother, after losing the love of her life during World War I, vowed to fight for peace. What she did not know, and many other still refuse to see, is that the governments of the world make money on wars. We watched what might be determined to be a "silly" movie called "The Men Who Stare at Goats," (2009) (if you click on the link, you can read a review.) with the premise that the government was working on a team of psychic warriors to infiltrate their enemy's minds. But they are already doing that in various ways when people will not think for themselves, and allow the so-called leaders to tell them what is right or wrong.

I do not propose to be a teller, only to suggest that spring is a time to awaken from the slumber of winter and to take a new look around at what is going on and how you may be being tricked into thinking you are not "One"with all others. Just a thought.

Blessings on this Easter morning.