"Mary."

Wow, yeah, it's been a while.

Sorry about that.

But here I am again, and I have something AMAZING to say! Well, it is amazing to me. I hope someone else is amazed as well.

I have always known this, it's one of those things that Christians grow up hearing all of their lives, and then one day you are just like, "WOW! Seriously?!?! YEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!"

This thought came from our Easter Sunday service at church, in which our pastor was talking about Mary Magdalene.

In case anybody doesn't know who she is, you can read about her in Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1-19; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18. Although if you are going to read these, I suggest reading before and after these verses, because these don't tell you the story, they just tell you where she is mentioned.

Mary Magdalene has been one of my favorite women bible characters ever since I first read Luke 8:2,
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,...

I've always felt like I can relate to her, because when I became a Christian, I was lifted out of TONS of bondage. It was like a million pound weight had been lifted off of my back, and I know that the more God brought me out of, the greater reason I have to be thankful.

I didn't have seven demons. Mary was under that much more bondage, she had that much more weight on her back, and Jesus lifted it off for her just as He lifted mine off for me.

So although I know I did not come from nearly the same place that she did, I have always felt like, We both have so much to be thankful for.

Before I go on to my awesome moment, I want to tell you another thing which made it even better. I am not a very quick learner. When it comes to bible stuff I feel a little bit helpless, and like I want to know these things, I want to know about Jesus, but I can't, because I don't know how to teach myself, I don't know how to study. So for years I have been asking God, "Teach me, because I can't do it on my own. I don't know how to study, so show me. I don't know how to understand, so open my eyes and teach me."

And He answers prayer! He has been teaching me all the way, and I know that He will continue to teach me. He is my Teacher.

So when our pastor was reading the story, and he came to John 20:16, (read before this before reading on, if you have not before. It makes it all that much better.) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

That is about enough to make my heart stop.

All He said was her name, but she knew it was Him. That...I can't even...just WOW. Hearing that was like hearing Jesus saying, "Keturah." It was Him talking to His friend, He didn't just say her name, He said it in a personal way because He knew her personally. He knows me! He knew her! And He knows me! He knows my name. This is so amazing.

And then, in response, she turned and said to Him, "Teacher!" Another personal thing, because He taught her. Not just as a face in the crowd, but He taught her. And He teaches me. 

I'm sorry if I am really repetitive, I am never sure if I made the point clear enough.

Have a great day, and know that you are not just a face in the crowd, but Jesus knows you, and He knows your name. Listen for it, He's calling it.