Easter Sunrise at Pixley Cemetery

Standing : Clark and William Gates 
Seated: Cathy, Steve, and Barbara Gates.
Taken at the 2001 Gates Reunion (My only
regret is that Joni Gates is not in the photo.

                 March 27, 2005 found a small group from the Ralston Baptist Church gathered in the cold predawn of Easter Sunday. A turkey gobbling pierced the murky early morning fog hovering over the cemetery. It had been a little over a year since the death of Steve and Barbara Gates’ older son, Clark, and his burial in the Pixley Cemetery overlooking the Arkansas River in the Big Bend community. Link to Clark's burial site  at Pixley Cemetery  at findagrave.com    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22464606/steven-clark-gates  

Kelly and Mike Ridgway in 2008 at my parents' 
60th Wedding Anniversary.

               Steve had visited with our pastor at Ralston Baptist Church, Michael Ridgway. Brother Michael sought ways to encourage and uplift his congregation. He planned the sunrise service at the Pixley Cemetery.

He and his wife, Kelly, arrived early to welcome each early morning worshipper. My mother recalled the three Ridgway children, Chris, Joshua, and Arizona, huddled together for warmth on the cold morning. Our eyes strained to discern the sun peeking over the eastern horizon.

The Three Ridgway Children
Front- Arizona Back - Chris and Joshua taken at
the 60th Wedding Anniversary of my Parents

                As I pondered writing about that Easter sunrise service, I contacted Barbara Clark Gates Clovis, the mother of Clark. (I admire how she thinks like a writer, cherishing details.) I was so glad I asked for her remembrances.

                One of Barbara’s most poignant memories from that morning sixteen years ago fit in perfectly with the atmosphere of that early, fog-encased dawn. That morning as she gazed into the fogginess, Barbara’s heart skipped a beat as a tall figure began emerging. Being in such proximity to Clark’s gravesite, Clark immediately came into her mind. (Those who have buried one of their children know the thought of that deceased child is never far away.) How blessed she was to recognize Aaron Cheves, a dear friend of her boys, striding to the little group of worshippers! Seeing Aaron, who had recently become a Christian, with Bible in hand, thrilled Barbara’s heart as he approached to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. (To see the third grade group picture of Aaron Cheves and William Gates, his friend and the brother of Clark, access this blog posting at: https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2020/04/remembering-spring-of-1995.html )

Is there a more appropriate place to observe Easter morning than in a cemetery? The Resurrection of Jesus occurred in a garden of tombs, the final resting places of the residents of Jerusalem in that era. Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb sorrowing, only to be devastated to find the body of her Lord gone. In her tearful distraught state, she glimpsed a man who she thought must be the gardener. He inquired why she was weeping and who she was seeking. She answered neither question but asked if He knew the whereabouts of the body of Jesus so she could take (care for) Him. Jesus spoke her name, and she instantly knew He was alive. He had arisen as He said He would. Then He entrusted Mary Magdalene to be the first witness of the history-altering news of His resurrection.

                Just as Barbara found the highlight of her morning seeing that young man to whom her life and words had witnessed of the power, love, and faithfulness of Jesus, may one of the greatest joys of our life be testifying as a witness of a risen Savior to those we encounter.

                Let us pray for a heart of gratitude like Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Her heartfelt thankfulness propelled her to obey Jesus when He commanded her to go tell His disciples. The scripture in Mark 16:11 recorded And when they heard that He was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe.” Their rejection of her good news delivered from the very mouth of the Savior of the World that He was alive, did not diminish her love and devotion to Him.

A Verse for Meditation on this Easter Sunday

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.  Philippians 3:10

Lord, on this Easter Sunday, may our love and gratitude for Your gift of eternal life pervade our words and our actions not just today but every day of our lives.

We want Your sacrificial death and glorious resurrection to permeate our lives so that we can always be faithful, obedient witnesses like Mary Magdalene.

Most of all, when our testimony of who You are and what You have done in lives is rebuffed, scoffed at, or ridiculed, may we rejoice that we can share in a tiny way Your sufferings.

In the name of the only Powerful Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.