Do You Believe in Easter?

As Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) has come to a close this year, I've realized just how wonderful it's been studying the death and resurrection of Jesus at just about the same time as Easter.  Our teacher read us the following story this morning about a woman who LOVED Easter.  It's such a sweet story and so perfect for this post.  BSF, I will miss you this summer!  And now more than ever Easter will mean more than egg hunts and candy....although those things are really fabulous!  I am thankful for what I've learned about truly believing in Easter.

Edith Burns was a wonderful lady who lived in San Antonio, Texas. Will Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. Edith Burns usually introduced herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be changed.

One day Dr. Phillips received bad news. With a heavy heart he told Edith, "You have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Soon it became necessary to put her in the hospital. Edith told the doctor: "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure they put women next to me in my hospital room who need to know about Easter?"

They did just that. Many women who shared a room with Edith were changed forever! Everybody on that floor started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut." But soon, even Phyllis Cross was drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron.

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked…."

Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart.

A few days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross walked into Edith's room. Edith was in bed. Her Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "Hello, my name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"