An Easter heart is not a heart that busies oneself with bunnies and baskets. Rather an Easter heart is a heart that believes, a heart that believes in Jesus. An Easter heart is humble, desperate, suffering, waiting, worshipful and victorious. Most of all, an Easter heart is all these things with Jesus, because of Jesus and for Jesus.

As the lenten season unfolds, I dream that this devotional will be a spot of joy and inspiration to you. Travel with me to Israel, and discover the glory of historical truth, and join me in learning from the women who were with Jesus during his final days and hours. You can read through this devotional a week at a time, saving the final chapter for Easter, or travel at your own pace. Maybe you gather friends to take this journey with you, discussing the scriptures and questions together for richer study. There are no rules. It's your journey to savor.

Each chapter begins with a quick sentence prayer in the hopes of grounding your spirit before you dig into the content. The chapters end with practical steps for application that first include a verse from scripture for memorization, and I encourage you to pray each scripture over your own life. The Words Worth Repeating sections provide statements and themes that are easy to remember. The ask and apply provides journal prompts or discussion points for you to engage in your time with God or with friends. The prayers at the end of each chapter are prayers that I've prayed over my own life, and I pray them also for you. Finally, each chapter closes with a favorite holiday recipe that I've enjoyed with my own family, providing your family with a complete Easter feast.

My dream is that this devotional will be a spot of joy and inspiration to you in the days leading up to Easter. I hope that you will take a little time each day or week to read a chapter, and then spend some time in your journal reflecting, praying and applying the truths that you have learned. Perhaps you want to gather one, two or more best girlfriends to read and reflect together. Everything is better in community.

The recipes are for you to savor but also an exercise in singing to the Lord in the kitchen while planning to celebrate Him with family and friends. After such a long season of isolation, Spring will be here again. Buy some flowers, set a pretty table, bake a cake and prepare a meal for those you love. In the Bible they fasted and feasted. Perhaps you will fast in some fashion for the 40 days of Lent to settle your heart, your Easter believing heart, and then enjoy the most special holiday by going all out in honor of the cross and resurrection.

Finally, this devotional was never intended for simple enjoyment. While I hope you do enjoy reading through it, my prayer is that it inspires you into a richer and deeper faith and a greater experience of Jesus. Each chapter incorporates a variety of action steps for you to take in the hopes that your Easter heart will expand, soften and grow. Invite others to join you, and together experience the fullness of a life alongside Jesus, our living hope.

Through this 6-chapter devotional, may Jesus come alive as you lean into His living hope. I pray that you discover our resurrected Messiah through this journey. There is so much hope in an Easter heart. Do you believe?

Jennifer Jackson