Beloved

Most of us just want to be loved. We want to feel like we matter to someone. We want to know that our presence means something to someone else. We want to know that when we leave, someone will miss us. Know that you are loved. You do matter. You are someone's beloved. There is someone who loves the sound of your laugh. There is someone who loves your smile. There is someone who loves just being in your presence. You are loved, beloved. 

Eternal

Christians all over the world are celebrating Passion Week. It is the week that Jesus entered Jerusalem and culminates with his resurrection. Children are practicing their Easter speeches and looking forward to opening Easter baskets filled with chocolate bunnies that have nothing to do with Christ's resurrection. Easter is also a pagan celebration of the spring equinox and fertility.  For centuries, these celebrations have coincided. However, which one is eternal? Jesus was so driven by his passion that he was willing to die for it. True passion is based in love and love is sacrificial. Are you willing to die for your passion? Is your passion eternal? True passion is based in love and love is sacrificial. 

Elysian

Elysian Fields is an avenue in New Orleans named after the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. It is also a conception of the afterlife that was developed by the Greeks. Our view of heaven depends on our theology, or lack thereof. Some believe that heaven is a physical place. Others believe its a spiritual condition. Some people believe heaven can be found on Earth. I choose to believe that there is a place where we will see our loved ones again. I believe that there is more to us than just these temporal bodies. I believe that our souls are eternal.

There are so many things we experience in life that transcend this physical realm in which we exist. Love is a great example of one of the eternal things we experience in life. Love is eternal, and I believe that Elysian is filled with love. It is a place where we experience the love of our creator up close and personal without the distractions of this world. It is a place where pain ceases to exist. It is a place of peace and joy. It is a place of rest.