Next up to answer the question, “Why does Easter matter to you?” is my aunt Tammy. Tammy is my dad’s sister, a good friend, wife to my hilarious uncle Kelly, mother to Mike and Dave, one of the people Maggie most laughs with, and the Senior Pastor of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa.

The pressures of the pulpit kept me from responding before now.

Easter matters because it reminds me that before Christ was raised from the dead, my sins were nailed to the cross and they died there. Now, that may sound preachy, but it is unintentional. Truthfully, it is personal. At a time when I thought I must be a huge disappointment to God, he released me from the guilt/shame of a self centered past checkered with stupid, sometimes even dangerous choices. I think about my sins hammered to that cross, and what that cost Jesus. It is a sacrifice of staggering proportions! Sometimes in worship when we sing about that truth I have to hold back tears. Sometimes sad, sometimes sober, always grateful emotions emerge. I know we have to go through Good Friday to appreciate Easter, but I am always so happy when Easter dawns and we can say “He is risen!” He is risen indeed!