For me personally, Easter is extra special each year because it reminds me of when I fully committed myself to Christ and also the birth of my son.

I didn’t grow up in a Christian home so I wasn’t baptised as a child, nor did I grow up really knowing or understanding the true meaning of Easter. For me, it was all about the excitement of the Easter Bunny and what chocolate he had brought me.

It wasn’t until I reached high school and connected with my scripture teacher that I began to search for a relationship with Jesus.

My faith journey started slowly with attending scripture at school. I began to read the Bible.

Though I didn’t quite understand everything I was reading, I did my best to ask the right questions and find out what it all meant. My faith grew and I felt like my search for purpose was coming to an end.

I found a very old, ragged copy of a book ‘Run Baby Run’ by Nicky Cruz … this book would come to change my life and my perspective entirely.

I found a very old, ragged copy of a book ‘Run Baby Run’ by Nicky Cruz which my mum had received decades ago. This book would come to change my life and my perspective entirely.

If Nicky, who was broken, vengeful and filled with so much hatred could learn to love Jesus and live a life of Christianity, then I could do. To this day, I find myself recommending this book to people, no matter where their walk of faith currently sits.

After graduating from high school, I was fortunate enough to land a job at Koorong books. I was suddenly filled with all the information I had been dying to learn about. This is where my faith journey kicked into full gear. Over a decade later, I still work for Koorong as the manager of the Newcastle store.

A few years ago, I felt that my Christian relationship had grown and that I was finally ready to fully commit myself to the Christian life. I decided to be baptised.

My church baptises adults over the Easter weekend … Each year … I am reminded of that moment when my sins were washed away

My church baptises adults over the Easter weekend, usually at the Easter Saturday service. It is one of the fondest memories I will cherish for decades to come.

Many don’t remember their baptism because they were only young, but I always will. Each year when Easter comes around, I am reminded of that moment when my sins were washed away and I truly became a part of God’s kingdom.

That first time partaking in communion was special; now it’s a ritual. I am also reminded of God’s everlasting love, that because I believe in Him, I shall not perish but have eternal life.

Easter is also special to me because my son was born at Easter time last year. He was prayed for, wished for and very much a miracle. My husband and I believe that God chose him to be born at this time, albeit nine days overdue.

I know his birthday won’t always be at Easter time, but every time we celebrate this milestone, we will be reminded that he is a child of God.

We will be attending Easter services for the first time this year as a family of three, something I hope will become ritualistic for us.

I want my son to know that although chocolate eggs may sound appealing, there is far more to Easter than that. It is both a happy and sad time. We commemorate on Good Friday yet celebrate on Easter Sunday.

Easter is a time for reflection and reconciliation. Jesus loves all of us and was prepared to die for us so that we could be saved.

For me personally, Easter is also about family and being grateful for them. It is about being grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice. And above all, it is about being thankful for leading a Christian life and all the blessings it brings my family and me.