Echoes of Joy Blog

Why Do We Celebrate Easter?

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen…” (Mt. 28:5)

Easter, unlike Thanksgiving or Independence Day, is not celebrated on a single day. Instead, the Easter season begins with Lent, a forty-day period of prayer, reflection, and penance that leads to Easter Sunday. It represents the forty days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry. Continue reading “Why Do We Celebrate Easter?” →

Spring Renewal

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song of Solomon 2:11-12).

Spring is a time of renewal, when everything is bright and fresh. I look forward to it every year, and even more so this year. As I write this, the ongoing pandemic is hopefully easing due to the vaccine rollout. The long, hard, dreary winter, which started here in Oklahoma with a historic ice storm at the end of October and ended with a historic snowstorm in February, has given way to sixty-degree days and lots of sunshine. Continue reading “Spring Renewal” →

The Heart: What Makes Us Who We Are

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Mt. 22:37)

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation to make February American Heart Month. With the ongoing, global COVID pandemic, paying attention to our heart health carries even more importance since the virus impacts the heart.

One of my first jobs out of college was working for an Area Agency on Aging. I monitored the nutrition program, among other things, and I learned about the importance nutrition has on our heart health. Even before that job, I was interested in taking care of my heart because of the health problems run in my family. All four of my biological grandparents had heart problems, and three of my mom’s five brothers have now passed away from heart attacks. Continue reading “The Heart: What Makes Us Who We Are” →

Love One Another

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13: 4-7)

In February, our thoughts turn to candy, roses, and of course, love. Years ago, I opposed Valentine’s Day. I held the cynical view that its sole purpose was to bolster retail stores’ sales during the slower months of winter and to make those who aren’t coupled up feel bad about themselves. I felt this way even though I was married at the time.

Now that I’m older, I have a different view of Valentine’s Day. Oh sure, it’s still a commercial holiday and makes people feel bad about their relationship status, but now I see the bigger picture of how a holiday about love ties into my faith. Continue reading “Love One Another” →

The Darkest Days

Posted on by Staci Mauney

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 (Ps 22:24).

In Oklahoma, we usually have a deep cold snap about this time of year. It was right on time this year, and it’s so deep and long it’s breaking records. In fact, we’re still in the middle of it. As someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), I’m worn out by time February comes along. January drags, but the dreary, gray days of February take their toll as winter tightens its grip before finally giving way to spring.

During cold, dismal February, grief feels like it’s compounded. Not only are we dealing with a stretch of eleven days without sunshine (or maybe thirteen—but who’s counting?), but we’re also still dealing with the impact of the global pandemic. Continue reading “The Darkest Days” →