An Easter Story

I love lazy Saturdays...

the opportunity to fully embrace the sleep in.

So when I woke up bright and early on Saturday morning...

without the aid of an alarm clock,

I took it as a sign.

Telling me to join my church family in Downtown Toledo.

In The City For Good.

A group whose sole purpose it is to feed the poor.

300+ meals were prepared.

300+ meals were served.

How awesome is that?

Nothing like food to get the conversation flowing...

everyone coming to the table together...

sharing stories...telling jokes...

enjoying each others company.

As I was cleaning up,

a nice-looking black man shook my hand,

looked me in the eyes, and introduced himself.

He told me his name was Joseph.

"That's a good name," I said, "That's my son's name."

When I told him my name was Jenny, he smiled and said

that was his sister's name.

We made a real connection.

He thanked me personally for being there...

blessing me for helping.

When I wished him a Happy Easter, he paused

to ask me a question...

"How can you say Happy Easter in one word?"

There was a brief silence...

I started hearing the Jeopardy! theme song in my head.

I felt like I was being tested...

and time was running out.

Tick...tock...

tick...

tock.

Then it came to me...

"Alleluia?!"

I was sure of my answer, but it came out rather tentatively.

(i.e., like a white Lutheran woman)

A smile spread across Joseph's face...

"Hallelujah!" he boomed like only a black man can.

Saying it as it should be said...

with true conviction!

Praise the Lord!

Now it was my turn to smile because I knew

I had passed the test...I answered correctly.

Thank you Joseph, for sharing a moment with me.

Since Saturday, I've told this story...

well...a few (bizzillion) times.

I now call it my Alleluia Story.

Alleluia!

Said with gusto...conviction...and paper airplanes.

Sing it loud...for all to hear!

Jesus is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!