Easter hope

- By Mary Anne Grand, layperson — Raymore United Church

March 31, 2026

key points from this story:

• Ezekiel’s vision invoked for renewal
• Spring symbols of hope and life
• World turmoil causes fear and despair
• Faith offers restoration and peace
• Prayer for leaders’ change of heart
• Easter blessings shared through hope

Ezekiel 37:11 “Then God said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they’re saying, our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us.”

Mother nature is giving us a forecast that perhaps just around the corner is spring. Pussy willows, geese honking, calves frolicking, thoughts of spring flowers, planting gardens and flowers.

Thoughts of the snow melting, warm winds and April showers bringing may flowers. Positive thinking and peaceful times as winter takes off her cloak and spring puts on her sunshine cape. So much to be thankful for and to be appreciated of what is given to us.

But over our heads hangs uncertainty, fear, helplessness and hopelessness. Our world is in upheaval with peace being the furthest from the powerful leader’s minds. We only have to turn on the evening news to know what is happening to God’s beautiful world.

God stands beside each person in this tragic scene with tears in God’s eyes, pain, compassion, love and encouragement in God’s heart. Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us. But there is hope, our bones can come alive again with a belief in a God who says I am God.

We can hope and pray that God will fill those dry bones with peace, respect and a change of heart of the leaders and bring them alive for the betterment of all people. May God’s faithful love carry us through with encouragement, peace, kindness and patience. Easter Blessings.