I love the commercial this spring where the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” plays in the background. It feels like Christmas time again for that thirty-second commercial, even though it’s an allergy pill advertisement.

As I literally sit here sneezing and having a runny nose, allergy season is the worst, but spring brings so much joy, just like at Christmas. At Christmas, all the lights, beautiful trees, and carols make it feel like the most wonderful time of the year. Celebrating Jesus’s birthday is one of the happiest months of the year as we remember that sweet baby being born in a stable and lying in a manger full of hay. Did Mary know that that sweet baby would die for the entire world someday? That he would rise three days later after dying a brutal death for every single person who would ever live so they could have eternal salvation? This takes us to one of the favorite holiday classics, “Mary, Did you Know?”

Spring brings the joy of new life everywhere. The tulips that pop up in our yards. The fresh green grass that finally arrives after months of brown and gloom. Sweet new babies are being born, and even more daylight. Spring is a reminder of what Jesus did for us. He died on the cross to save us for our sins, and three days later, he arose from that tomb! “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!” The joy of eternal life is given to us, being born again. The joy of knowing heaven will shine forever, and we will never have any gloom — the joy of brighter days ahead. Eternal life is free for us, but it wasn’t for Jesus. He paid for it dearly and knew it was going to happen. How on earth he ate dinner before and sang hymns just blows my mind! Can you imagine!? It gives you goosebumps if you really think about it. It’s incredible what he went through.

All you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart and ask for forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what you have done throughout your life. That’s what is pretty amazing about our God! He loves us and forgives us no matter what. He never leaves us or forsakes us. Some days it may feel like he isn’t listening, but I promise you, he is. He just might not answer you right away. He knows what is best for us. He knows our thoughts and hears our prayers. He even knows how many hairs we have on our heads. (Whoa.) Have you ever had something happen and asked God, “Why? Why didn’t I get this job? I really wanted it!” Then a few weeks later, something bigger and better comes along? See, he always knows what is best for us, even when we don’t think it is. I know some days I need to remember this too, but we just have to learn to trust him. Especially in this world we live in today.

I want you to really ask yourself, “Am I saved?” Some people think they are in their heads but never truly asked God into their hearts. Do you live life for him? Hey, I’m not perfect. Christians aren’t supposed to be perfect. Just because you think a bad thought, swear, get angry, lie, cheat, or all of the above doesn’t make you not a Christian or make God love us any less. It makes us human! People have this view of Christians that we are to live a perfect Christian life.

We are all born sinners. I just know that God forgives me and loves me. Red, yellow, black or white, we are perfect in his sight! There is not one person on this earth that he won’t save. He loves you and wants you to live eternally in heaven! We are all beautifully and wonderfully made. We are saved by his grace!

I can’t tell you what it means to have Jesus in your life. He does some pretty incredible things. If I ever have a bad day, I turn to him. The other day I worried, and I just started singing in my head, “God will take care of you. Through every day, or all the way. He will take care of you! God will take care of you.” That’s all it took. I felt his comfort immediately and fell right asleep. He comforts me in so many ways, and if I didn’t have him in my life and heart, I would not be the happy, positive person I am. I’ve learned throughout my whole life that he will always be there, and in this crazy world we live in today, I have such peace knowing he is right by my side. Do you want that peace too? Say this prayer today, and you will feel it too!

Lord Jesus, for too long, I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

I am celebrating with you right now if you said this prayer and asked Jesus into your heart. I’m jumping for joy! I am so excited for you to feel the love of Jesus.

Happy Easter, my Webb reader family!

Glazed Easter Ham
(Pioneer Woman Recipe)
Ingredients:
• 1 whole fully cooked bone-in ham (15-18 pounds)
• whole cloves
• 3 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. spicy brown mustard
• 1 can Dr Pepper or Coke
• 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Directions:

Preheat oven to 325˚.

Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep. Place cloves in the middle of each diamond. Place the ham in a large roasting pan with a rack, tent it with foil, and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours — or longer, depending on the package directions. (Some hams may require 3 to 3 1/2 hours at a lower temp; just check the package.)

Heat the brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and soda in a small saucepan until bubbly. Cook until reduced and a bit thicker, about 15 minutes.

After about 2 hours of baking time, remove the foil and brush the glaze on the ham in 20 minutes intervals (put the ham back in the oven, uncovered, in between) until it’s nice and glossy. Remove from the oven and allow to rest 15-20 minutes before carving.