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I am, sitting in my kitchen (which currently looks like a tornado hit it because this is my life right now as a mom), and I can't stop thinking about yesterday's 2nd reading, from Romans.You know how some Scripture passages just hit differently? No matter how many times you've heard it, it still has the ability to reach down into your chest & make you feel alive.That's Romans 5:1-5 for me. Every. Single. Time."Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint..." Paul is telling us to BOAST about our struggles. In a world that tells us to curate our lives into perfect little Instagram squares, here's St. Paul saying "Actually, talk about your hard stuff. Be proud of how it's shaping you."The world is constantly telling us not to get our hopes up.But our faith is encouraging us to do the exact opposite.This is actually why our "Get Your Hopes Up" tee exists.I know, hope can often feel like such a fluffy word; like something you slap on a coffee mug or cross-stitch onto a pillow. But biblical hope? That's different. That's not wishful thinking or “toxic positivity.” That's the deep, bone-level knowing that God is working all things together for good, even when (especially when) we can't see it.And if there was ever a time we needed that kind of hope, it's right now. We're living in this incredible Jubilee Year of Hope, amidst a divided Nation & war-ridden world, and I think God is inviting us into something really special. He's asking us to get our hopes up - not in our own abilities or the world's promises, but in His unfailing love that's been "poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit."Here's what I love about this passage though - it doesn't promise everything will be easy. It actually guarantees the opposite. But it also promises that our struggles have purpose. That the ordinary, messy, sometimes-really-hard parts of our lives are not obstacles to God's glory. They're the very places where His glory shows up most brilliantly. Our struggles are shaping us into who God has designed us to be. This is why we as Christians MUST get our hopes up.Because when we cling to the virtue of hope, it truly does not disappoint.(And neither does wearing a soft organic cotton tee that reminds you of this truth every time you put it on - just saying 😉)What's one area where you need to "get your hopes up" today?   

In these profound days following Easter, as the global Catholic community mourns the loss of our beloved Pope Francis and awaits in prayerful anticipation for what comes next, I find myself reflecting deeply on a quote that has long sustained the faithful through periods of uncertainty: "We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!" These powerful words, famously shared by Pope St. John Paul II during his 1986 visit to Australia, capture the essential nature of our Catholic identity. Though often associated with the Easter season, John Paul II actually spoke these words in November, reminding us that this Easter identity transcends seasonal celebrations—it defines who we are year-round as followers of Christ. The Eternal Hope of Easter What does it mean to be "Easter people" in times of grief and uncertainty? At its core, being Easter people means we live our entire lives in the light of the Resurrection. When Pope St. John Paul II shared these words, he acknowledged the reality of suffering: "We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection."  This truth feels particularly resonant now as we witness the Church's transition following Pope Francis's passing. Even as we mourn, we stand firmly in the knowledge that Christ has conquered death itself. The death and funeral of a pope—like all Christian funerals—is not merely an ending but a profound testament to our Easter faith that death does not have the final word. Meeting Glory in the Ordinary Our shop's tagline—"meet the glory in the ordinary"—aligns beautifully with this Easter perspective. The Resurrection transforms how we see everything, revealing divine glory hidden within the fabric of everyday life. Even in mundane moments and difficult transitions, the light of Easter allows us to perceive deeper meaning and transcendent beauty. This understanding transforms how we approach life's challenges. When we truly live as Easter people: - We face grief with the certainty of hope- We encounter change with trust in God's providence- We find meaning in suffering by uniting it with Christ's own passion- We discover joy not despite our difficulties, but sometimes because of how they draw us closer to the risen Lord Pope Francis: A Witness to Easter Joy Our late Holy Father Pope Francis embodied this Easter spirit throughout his pontificate. Even during his final illness, his witness reminded us that suffering united with Christ becomes a pathway to deeper communion with God. Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis consistently directed our attention to seeing Christ in the ordinary—in the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten. His life and death now join the great testimony of faith that forms the Church's continued witness to resurrection. As we pray for him and for the Church in this time of transition, we carry forward the Easter proclamation that has sustained believers for two millennia.    Living as Easter People in Uncertain Times As we navigate these days of waiting and prayer for the Church, how might we more intentionally live as Easter people? 1. Cultivate joy that transcends circumstances: Easter joy isn't shallow happiness but a deep-seated conviction that God's love prevails over all. 2. Embrace hope as our defining outlook: In a world quick to despair, our unwavering hope stands as a powerful testimony. 3. Practice resurrection living: Seek opportunities daily to choose life, renewal, and redemption in your interactions and decisions.  4. Let "Alleluia" be your song: Even—perhaps especially—in life's darkest moments, praise becomes our most powerful act of faith.  Carrying Easter in Our Hearts and Homes At Dappled Glory, our mission is to provide premium apparel and essentials that inspire and uplift—tangible reminders of the Easter reality that permeates all of life. Each product is designed to help you "meet the glory in the ordinary" moments of your day. In times of transition and uncertainty, surrounding ourselves with visible reminders of our Easter identity becomes especially meaningful. Whether through artwork bearing the words "We are an Easter people," or clothing that subtly witnesses to the joy of resurrection, what we choose to wear and display can strengthen our own faith while opening conversations with others. Standing in Eternal Hope As the Church gathers in prayer during this time of transition, we stand together as Easter people, confident that the same Christ who conquered death continues to guide His Church. We honor Pope Francis's memory best by living with the same Easter hope that animated his ministry. Let us, then, live boldly as people of the Resurrection—letting our Alleluias ring out not just in our words, but in our actions, our choices, and the love we extend to one another. For truly, we are an Easter people, and even in times of uncertainty and grief, Alleluia remains our song. --- We know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery — the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. 'We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!'" — Pope St. John Paul II --- Discover our collection at [dappledglory.com](https://dappledglory.com) and carry the joy of the Resurrection with you every day.