Easter season invites us to see the world with new eyes, to embrace the new life in front of us, and to play with joyful hearts in God’s creation.

Yesterday afternoon, we did just that. All four of us went hiking at the Botanical Gardens. After intense study of the map of different trails, we picked a trail that seemed suitable for Chris and myself and for our stroller with Brady and Abby. As we made our way through the winding dirt path covered with roots, we found ourselves in awe at what was hidden in the woods–a trickling creek that followed along our path. We had no idea that this close to our home was something so beautiful!

As we continued walking along, Chris and I kept laughing at the fact that right under our noses was a beautiful creek that grew in size and sound until it emptied into a river that we cross every day going home. There were benches spread throughout the trail to sit and soak in the beauty of our surroundings. There were bridges to cross, and there were huge tree stumps for Brady to climb and play on.

There was one part of the creek that reminded us of one of our favorite spots in Gatlinburg,TN, the Roaring Fork Creek. Chris and I had taken a trip there several years ago, and we had stopped several times to sit and soak in the sites and sounds of Roaring Fork. How could we have not known that something as beautiful as the Roaring Fork was right here? How come we never took advantage of this opportunity before?

Yesterday, our eyes were opened. We saw the beauty of God’s creation in the hidden trails of nearby woods. We walked and played in the beauty of nature. We rejoiced in our findings even though they were right in front of us.  

We are called to do the same with our new findings in the Risen Lord. We are called to live our new life grounded in Christ’ resurrection with opened eyes. We are called to play and to rejoice in this Easter season for Jesus’ resurrection brings us hope and joy.We are called to celebrate what has always been there right in front of us- God at work in all things even Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

Will we let ourselves see what is right in front of us?
How will we embrace the joy of the Easter Season?
How will we live out the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection in our own lives?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.