Three things

1. Easter is still several weeks off. In my little world, I am focused on surviving the next twenty four hours. I measure time in the increments between meetings or meals or male toddler bath nights. But as I read the gospels, I see that Jesus had a very central focus. Jesus was laser focused on that first Easter weekend. Even as He asserted His absolute sovereignty over the elements and the human body and forgiveness of sins and His enemies, the cross was never far from His mind. I read this week that once the devil understood that Jesus could not be deterred from laying down His life, the evil one determined to make Jesus' death as brutally painful as possible. Jesus must have seen crosses often as He walked the country side and shivered at the unshakeable knowledge that the Father's will would lead to that type of death. Everytime He entered the temple, He must have seen the spotless lambs headed to a bloody, sacrificial destiny. Jesus must have had conversations and meals and even laughed with Judas the betrayer, knowing that He was doing so with one who would have been better off unborn. And yet with all of the reminders, Jesus set His face like flint and was unstoppable in His determination to sacrifice Himself. So that He might bring me to God. Amazing grace indeed.
2. Peace Like A River by Leif Enger is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. I am now reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and it is pretty good as well. How did I miss all of the great fiction for so many years?
3. I think that I am now officially numb to the financial news. Once I settled on the fact that it was super bad, additional information just seemed like meaningless dog piling. My heart keeps beating and the sun rises every morning and I have not seen any hungry sparrows lately. So God still reigns in heaven and I have nothing to fear.