In April 2019, we were encouraged as InScribe Writers Online, to write a blog article for Easter from a different point of view. For me, it became a reimagined journey to witness the final hours after Jesus’ betrayal as seen through the eyes of the Apostle John who witnessed all the events that led to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Only days after I wrote the story, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It was my second cancer diagnosis, having battled breast cancer in 2001. In my story, “The Passion Through John’s Eyes” in the new anthology “Easter Stories and More“, I wanted to travel the Via Dolorosa, stepping into John’s sandals, as he followed his beloved friend to Golgotha. It was a writing pilgrimage for me, to stay true to the Gospel writings, without adding or subtracting from Scripture, while still being able to describe anew what John may have experienced that day. I knew as a Christian, we are called to pick up our cross, in our own way, and follow Jesus. Days later, after writing my story about John, I was facing my own journey road following Jesus. I never thought I’d have to face cancer twice in my lifetime, but I had complete trust that God had a plan and a purpose in allowing me to go through this new battle.

I have always been disturbed by these Words from Jesus on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) It implies that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the Cross, which just does not line up theologically for me. (I wrote a blog post a few years ago that explains my thoughts on that.) I will admit, that during my last battle with cancer when I was in the throes of “chemo thunder”, as I called it, I would weep aloud, “God, why have You forsaken me?” In despair, my body so weak and tired from the chemotherapy and radiation, I forced myself to grasp hold of the promises from Scripture, particularly clinging to Psalm 22, with the knowledge that Jesus would never leave me or forsake me, just as God the Father never left Jesus on the Cross. When you read my story “The Passion Through John’s Eyes“, I incorporated Psalm 22 into John’s context as he stood at the Cross trying to make sense of Jesus’ death.

As Christians, we are challenged daily to experience Scripture, to immerse ourselves in God’s story, and become part of that story as we live out our lives. I am honoured to be a contributor to “Easter Stories and More“. I am confident it will be a family favourite book in your home. I pray you will pick up a copy today and leave a review!

I am delighted to participate in this Blog Tour to celebrate the book launch of “Easter Stories and More“, and I encourage my readers to “travel” to these other blog sites of other writers who contributed to this amazing anthology.

March 24 – Ruth L. Snyder https://ruthlsnyder.com/blog/

March 25 – Sally Meadows https://sallymeadows.com/blog

March 26 – Eunice Matchett https://albertastoryteller.com/

March 27 – Lynn Dove https://lynndove.com/

March 28 – Pat Gerbrandt https://patgwriter.wordpress.com/

March 29 – Denise Ford https://walkingwithdustyanddee.com/

March 30 – Marcia Laycock https://marcialeelaycock.com/thespur/

March 31 – Bob Jones revwords.comhttps://revwords.com/

April 1 – Valerie Ronald https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

April 2 – Kimberley Payne https://www.kimberleypayne.com/blog/

April 3 – Marnie Pohlmann https://marniewriter.com/blog/

April 4 – Lynn Simpson https://lynnjsimpson.com/

“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22: 22-24