“But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
It’s just another one of those special memories. It was spring in Jacksonville, Florida and number fifteen or so in my life journey. Back in those days, Easter was a big deal, and so was what you wore. We were raised in the tradition that Easter meant a new outfit…it is just what we did. But just like Christmas beliefs and traditions sometimes change…so did this Easter tradition. As we got older…the new outfits got fewer but then, for some reason, it happened. One year, when I was about fifteen, Momma and Daddy loaded me up in the car, drove across town to a men’s store for the sole purpose of buying me an Easter suit.
I’m not sure what prompted this or a hundred other sacrifices they made for us but it happened. The name of the store is lost to time but it may have been Tatum’s—a store known for quality men’s clothing at a good price. So we arrived and went in and soon I was trying on suits. They say some things never change and that is true. Today when I shop for just about anything it isn’t the label that matters or even the style—price takes the day. It is a matter of practically and budget. It is true today because it was true then. Remember, somethings don’t change.
Soon, with the help of our salesperson, we had settled on a subtle green tweed suit. It was a very nice suit and the price was very reasonable. I would later realize that might have been because it was a rather heavy wool material and there wasn’t a lot of demand for it in Florida. Regardless, it was soon mine. But Momma and Daddy weren’t done. The salesman led us over to the shirt department and we picked out a creamy yellow shirt that matched the suit perfectly. But wait…there was more. Next came a tie. To this day I can remember this—my first tie—bought just for me. It was a linen, striped tie made of pastel colors. Again, a perfect match for the new suit and tie.
There was some tailoring to the done but by Easter morning I was set and dressed to the nines. That morning, I assembled my new outfit and proudly headed off to church. I was so proud but for a special reason…one you have read before in Grits. I was proud because of all my parents had done to make sure I had a new Easter suit. Why that year? I don’t know. Maybe it was because I was stepping into manhood. That year, and most years that followed, the subtle green wool suit was too warm to wear but that never stopped me from wearing it. It was special and that was all that mattered. It was a suit of love…a suit of sacrifice.
Looking back their Easter sacrifice is made even more special. You see, that gift and sacrifice was at least a little like the gift and sacrifice that God made for us that first Easter. He gave His best, His only Son to a Roman cross so we could be forgiven and dressed in His righteousness. And unlike my suit that was a little too warm for Florida…His gift was perfect…in more ways than one. A perfect sacrifice for an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. And why? Because of love.
Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is just around the corner but it would serve us well to remember that every time the sun rises, it reminds us of the resurrection. It is no accident that Christians worship on Sunday…by design it is a celebration of the resurrection. I’m not sure how long I held onto that subtle green, too warm, suit but I have never forgotten the love that bought it for me. And, I’m sure I will never forget the love of a God who cared enough to give His very best so that we could call Him “Dearest Daddy.”
Paul, one of the writers of the New Testament wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome. In it, he gave them an Easter suit of sorts, a reminder of God’s great love. He wrote, “But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Imagine that—broken and unworthy—and yet He loved and He gave. Today and each day, don’t leave the message of Easter behind. He loves us, He cares for us, and He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 