Our Daily Bread Designs SLC143 - Easter

Many years ago when I had just turned seven, I was sitting with my parents in church when I heard what the pastor had been saying about Jesus dying on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. When he emphasized that we had to receive it like a gift, I knew I had never received His gift. I had been in church all of my life (seven years) feeling like I belonged. But at that moment of realization, I felt like an outsider, not bound for heaven. I asked my parents if I could go forward and talk to the pastor. They had him come to our house that afternoon. He sat on the sofa with me and talked about the meaning of Christ's death and salvation. That was where I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me of all my sins, like being mean to my little sister or telling a lie to my parents. Then I asked Jesus to come into my heart. Receiving that gift of salvation shaped the rest of my life.

I made this Easter card using a Christmas stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs. I felt the sentiment was perfect for telling what we're thankful for about the Easter story. The empty cross tells the rest. His death was the substitute for my own. And He rose to show us that if we receive that gift, we could have eternal life, like Him, with Him. Christmas isn't the only holiday with a gift of love. It was just the beginning, leading to the greatest gift.

 

I used a free vintage digital image from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings. The paper is a combination of Prima and Close To My Heart. I chose a special ribbon to match the image, but it's been in my ribbon box so long I don't know it's source, either. The flowers are from two different Prima sets, topped with CTMH pearl opaques. The ODBD stamp set I used is His Gift.

 

I pray that you also will know the greatness beauty of His indescribable gift in your life.

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Dream Valley Challenge #51 - Ribbon and Bling
Our Daily Bread Designs SLC143 - Easter
Sentimental Sundays #143 - Flowers, flowers, and more flowers
Word Art Wednesday 68 - Anything Goes