Do You Believe in Easter?

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Edith Burns had a habit. Every time she'd meet somebody,
she'd introduce herself with, Hello, my name is Edith Burns,
and do you believe in Easter? And then she'd explain
the meaning of Easter. Often the stranger would listen. She
was also a patient of doctor will Phillips. Each time
Edith had an appointment, she'd come to his office early

(00:20):
and ask the same question to anybody there. Hello, my
name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter? Nobody
ever complained. One morning, Phillips went in with a heavy heart.
There in his waiting room sat Edith with her big
black bible, saving another young mother. When it was time
for Edith's appointment, she saw a long face. Edith said,

(00:41):
doctor Phillips, your lab report came back. You have cancer
and you just don't have much time left well. Edith
was joyfully offended. Why are you so sad, doctor Phillips.
You just gave me good news. Soon I'll see my Lord,
my husband, all my friends, and I'll get to celebrate
Easter forever. Doctor Phillips wasn't sad anymore. One day, Edith

(01:03):
got sick and checked herself into the hospital, but she
sure didn't act very sick. She got to know every
other patient. Week after week, they'd come into her room
and hear it, do you believe in Easter? Eventually the
whole hospital staff had heard the question, everyone that is,
except the head nurse, Phyllis Cross. Phyllis wanted nothing to

(01:25):
do with Edith, called her a religious nut. Oh, Phyllis
had a hard life, been married three times, no kids,
just very unhappy. One morning, the two nurses assigned to
Edith called in sick, Phyllis, e're up. When she walked in,
Edith had a big smile and bean, Phyllis, God loves
you and I've been praying for you. Well, that made

(01:46):
Phyllis angry. She said, quit praying for me. I'm not interested.
The scene repeated itself time after time. Phyllis walks in,
Edith greets her with God loves you, Phyllis, and I'm
praying for you. Finally, one day, Phyllis realized Edith had
never asked her the question, So that morning she got
to work early, made a bee line to Edith's room,

(02:09):
burst in, sat on Edith's bed and pleaded, Edith, you
have asked everybody the question. Do you believe in Easter.
But me, oh, Phyllis, I wanted to, but God told
me to wait until you ask, so she did. Edith
then took her Bible and shared with Phyllis the Easter
story of the death and the burial and the resurrection. Phyllis,

(02:31):
do you believe in Easter? She asked. A broken Phyllis confessed,
I want to with all of my heart, Edith, I
do want Jesus in my life. Right there, the two
ladies prayed together and Christ came into Phyllis's heart. Just
two days later, Edith asked Phyllis a different question. Do
you know what day it is? And Phyllis answered, why yes, Edith,

(02:53):
it's good Friday. Oh no, for you and for me,
every day is Easter. Days later, Phyllis came to work,
did some of her duties, and then went down to
the hospital flower shop for some Easter Lili's because she
knew they were Edith's favorite. She walked into her room.
There lay Edith, her new friend, that big black bible

(03:15):
on her lap, and the most joyful smile that Phyllis
had ever seen. She was finally home. Phyllis went to
hold Edith's hand and then Phyllis Cross, with tears streaming
down her cheeks, whispered to her new friend a very
happy Easter. She walked out of the room and over
to a table where two young student nurses were sharing

(03:38):
a coffee, sat down with My name is Phyllis Cross.
Do you believe in Easter?