Easter Blessings: When Light Shines in the Darkness

Happy Easter 

Colored eggs sitting pretty in a basket. Chocolate goodies hiding in the grass. Maybe an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Church on Sunday. A special meal with family. The scent of Easter lilies. These are the things I think of this time of year.

Our new community holds an Easter sunrise service down by the river and a breakfast afterwards, I'm told. Doesn't that sound nice? I'm not a morning person, but I hope Vince and I can make it. (He's trying not to laugh....I'm really not a morning person lately, but we'll see how it goes). 

Sunrise in East Malaysia - 1996

Still, there is something holy about a sunrise service in the spring, when the air is crisp, and the birds are just waking up. Light touches the horizon and suddenly there is a horizontal orange glow that begins to spread. It dazzles the eye and you can't help but appreciate the beauty of the earth and our creator. It's such a lovely metaphor for the message of Christ's death on the cross and resurrection.....all for us.  

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." (John 12:46)

Sunrise on the Palouse (Eastern Washington)

Below is a song from my son's debut piano solo album this month. I'd love to share it. The song is perfect for Easter. You can hear the transition from darkness into light and the message of hope at the end. Click on title to listen. I hope you enjoy!  

"The Light Shines in the Darkness" by Chadwick Himsl 

You can see Chad's album and bio at his new website: 

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

Happy Thanksgiving: A Surprise Blessing

I am so proud of our son this week. He has published his first piece of music. The title is "The Light Shines in the Darkness" by Chadwick Himsl. Chad started playing piano at the age of four. Unlike most kids, he seldom neglected his practice sessions. Honest, I am not just bragging. He loved playing the piano, and when he occasionally turned lazy in this pursuit, I would threaten to not pay for his lessons. It was so easy.

He actually wore out the internal mechanisms that move the keys. I finally sold the piano to a woman who had lost her piano in a house fire. She didn't care if the keys were permanently out of tune without major repair. It reminded her of her old piano. Today Chad is married and has three young children. Where he found the time to compose, record and publish this piece just boggles the mind. Chad shares his motivations and the tune's background in the link above. You can also purchase a copy if you like. ~Sigh~ A proud week in the Himsl household.

I thank God for all my blessings this week, for the love of family and the joy they bring, a small group of friends who enrich my life in large ways, my church family and pastor who inspire, instruct and pray with me, a blog and an online community that continue to surprise and bless me, our lovely home in the beautiful Palouse region where we reside, zero balance credit cards (hoping they stay that way), food in the pantry, a safe water supply and no civil wars out my back door (unlike some in the world), improved health (losing those extra pounds helped (!) and so much more. 

God's mercy, grace, and protection over the years goes without saying. God has a way of getting through to me when I put up walls and forget how much our father in heaven through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cares for me (and you) . . . even in the hard times. There really is light in a dark world.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl