Wow-I really don't know where to start-I am almost speechless. It hit me today that tomorrow is Easter Sunday and yesterday was Good Friday. Jeff and I really don't do Santa, the Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy with the kids and I didn't have anything prepared in the way of Easter Egg baskets filled with candy and toys. We just never really talked about these fictional characters with our kids and it has never been a big deal. For us personally, this is the best decision as it allows the real reason for each season to be taught and celebrated.
When it hit me that Sunday is Easter, I thought to myself-how am I going to convey the importance, seriousness, gratefulness, thankfulness, grace, love, and sacrifice of Easter to the boys. How do you describe all that Jesus has done for us- to a three and four year old. Jeff and I want to show our boys how important it is to walk with God everyday. When the thought crossed my mind about the closeness of Easter-I stopped and prayed that the Holy Spirit lead and guide me. I prayed that he make an available opportunity so perfect that I would just know what to say and do. Did he ever answer my prayers!
I have recently witnessed the benefit of a nightly quiet and prayer time with my children and I have vowed to try my hardest to make sure it happens every night. Well, tonight was no exception-even though I was tired and ready for some relaxing mommy time-I did it. About a year ago a sweet woman gave my boys a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written book called "How Miss Ladybug Lost Her Spots." (author by Lara York) I value this book so much that I will not let them look at it without sitting right next to me-to avoid any pages being torn out. The book describes what Jesus did for us-but it is woven into the storytelling so perfectly that children are able to understand-in that little innocent way that children understand biblical truths.
The boys were listening quite intently and following along while I read-and there it was. As Miss Ladybug asked questions about Jesus' powerful, pure, and true love; the little girl who was witnessing to her said, "I will tell you all Jesus did, he wants us all to be free, he came to this earth to live and die for you and me." She went on to describe Good Friday and Easter with illustrations of Jesus' empty tomb!! I knew immediately God had answered my prayer-I was filled with joy and emotion that I could hardly read without tears. The boys knew that something was different about the words I was speaking. This passage was the perfect opening to discuss Easter and what it meant. Again I will say God is so Good-and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide when we ask and open ourselves to it. May we all remember Jesus' sacrifice tomorrow-praise him and thank him-for it was LOVE that he so freely gave.
