Thoughts on Easter

I lifted the spoon to her mouth and she smiled. I'd made her some chickpea salad and she approved. I was thankful because besides tucking her into bed and feeding her, I didn't know how else to humanly help her. However, I am grateful that my sister-in-law's Creator cares more for her than any of us in the family do. Her life has been lifted over and over to the Lord in supplication for healing. Now, she is spiritually suspended in prayer because, with the myriad of people who love her, I suspect prayer never ceases on her behalf.

 

This was the first Easter we didn't gather as a family on my husband's side of the family.

***

I got the text early in the morning that my mom's brother had passed away. He'd been in the hospital for over two years and was never quite well enough to make it home to recover. We reunited as a family at the funeral and I was reminded once again how important family is to God. It's the safe place He created for people to feel loved when perhaps they're not finding it in the world. That was Easter weekend.

 

It was the first time my family didn't celebrate with dinner at my Mom's either.  

*** 

My dear friend's eleven year-old daughter lay in the hospital with a tumour in her leg. Seven months of intense chemo and surgeries is what the doctors stated would be her lot. They weren't prepared for the excruciating pain and illness they'd witness in their little Ella, their only child. Mom, Dad and daughter living in a small hospital room for weeks was almost unbearable as the bone had snapped right then and there and she was placed in traction.

 

This year changed everything for this precious family. 

 *** 

I watched as our friend hung on the cross heaving and acting the part of his Lord in our church musical. Knowing it was Steve didn't deter me from the powerful reminder of the torture Jesus endured for my forgiveness and how He was resurrected to give me eternal life. Easter lives in my heart daily. It's not a weekend, it's not a dinner, it's not even family. I am alive and free because of Jesus. I am forgiven and can face all my tomorrows because of His great love. Easter didn't happen for us on the traditional day it's set for, but that doesn't matter. My uncle's recent passing to his eternal home, my sister-in-law's life, and little Ella's future are all in the adoring hands of their Saviour. Easter makes hope possible. It makes joy possible in the midst of sorrow. Easter makes suffering bearable because it is short-lived. This does not minimize pain or struggle, nor does it mean God doesn't heal. But, it allows me to believe that because there's so much more to life than this tiny planet and this finite amount of time, I can rest in knowing Easter makes all the difference.

Gratitude:

  



1791. getting together the following week and her hiding places for eggs :)

1792. blonde beauties

1793. scouring for eggs together

1794. how these two still snuggle their big kids

1795. family friendships

1796. her faithfulness in visiting her brother before he passed away

1797. shaking and doing whatever one can to get the eggs

1798. the way he's always interested in the kids and what they have to say

1799. never too big for an egg hunt

1800. how she's kept that basket for about 9 years!

1801. teaching little ones to collect

1802. his love for toddlers and babies

1803. catching a sharing moment?

1804. the way they had the whole place combed in a matter of minutes

1805. stealth mode 

1806. for pretty spring cakes (my mom asked for it :)

1807. how it only took about 5 attempts to get a photo with everyone looking and smiling

1808. for hope and joy in the midst of trying times

Operation Caterpillar Rescue

We traipsed through a darkening woods and I tried to remember why we were there as I caught a shot of lightening in the clearing above me. My three youngest were nearly running behind me, slapping at bugs as I strode long and quickly in the lead. We were searching for milkweed before it was too late for our very hungry caterpillars and that is where Annie told us to go... or so I thought. Thankfully, my cell phone picked up a signal out in the country area and my dear friend answered the other end and assured me I was not too far from the location. But, she purported that she was driving out to meet us with a flashlight. I breathlessly refused her offer and told her not to leave her cozy home and family but my kiddos called out, "We need her, Mommy!", so I obliged. Fifteen minutes later, we were back at my truck and closer to our target. Annie pulled up with a headlamp and we traipsed once again through long, wet grass, spotted the dewy, milky treasure that would save our babies and thanked our nature guide. You see, she has babies at home too and we alert each other when milestones are being reached. We had both released adult butterflies that day and we did not want to lose those creatures at the beginning of the metamorphic stage!

Eeewy, there's spiders on it!

 

Just as the last leaves were being nibbled from the small plant we were given from the conservatory, I replaced it by shoving the new stalk into the pot and zipped up the butterfly tent. We watched as those creeping, pudgy characters slid onto their life-sustaining home. I sighed relief.  

 

 

So, we enjoy another season of rearing caterpillars to save the Monarch butterflies. It's a process that blows my mind and I shake my head at the everyday miracles in creation that we overlook. God is truly awesome.

She's 40

I arrived at Annie's home as a surprise from her husband. He was sending the two of us to a fancy place for the morning, complete with pedicures, facials and massages. We had a lovely lunch on the porch while my friend of nineteen years opened forty gifts from me (sorry, Annie!). It was so beyond what either of us desire, but when her husband is in charge of the party, he goes all out!

 

 

 

 

And as we lolly-gagged back to the parking lot, we both had a good laugh at what was "book-ending" her Chevette :)

 

Happy 40th, "Nellie"! May you always hear the Lord's voice clearly as He guides you over the next 40! (We'll roller-blade when we're 80 :)