friday.

I got the call late Wednesday night.

"Are you going to go see Papa tomorrow?" my younger sister said through audible tears.

I'm not quite sure why the call came as a surprise, after all, my grandfather is 99 years old. For most of his life he has been healthy and strong, both body and mind. But, a couple of months ago he fell ill and now it seems he's taken a turn for the worse and his body can no longer endure.

So, yesterday I cancelled my plans, made arrangements for the kids, and went to see my Papa. When I arrived, I was blessed with the opportunity to catch him in a moment of wakefulness. I was able to hold his hand, offer him some comfort, kiss his cheek and tell him how much I loved him. What a sweet gift I was given.

Today, Christians throughout the world commemorate the death of Jesus Christ by remembering the sacrifice, suffering, and sorrow of that day.

"On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God. 

I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest. 

But the doom of that day did not endure. 

The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared as the Savior of all mankind. 

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. 

I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. 

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come." 

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Sunday Will Come

Although the passing of my grandfather is sorrowful, I find comfort in the messages of this Easter season. There is peace in the truthfulness of the gospel, hope in the knowledge that He lives, and reassurance in the Resurrection.

I know that my Redeemer lives.

I know that on the third day He rose from the tomb triumphant over death.

I know that because of His life and eternal sacrifice, one day, I will see my grandfather again--perfect and whole.

So, although this Friday is shadowed in grief, there is light.

For I know Sunday will come.

'In this life or the next, Sunday will come.'



For more Easter messages, see here.