Easter Week is so very important in the lives of believers because it the climax of our hope in Christ. I have been trying to start traditions that they will all look forward to each year; but traditions that have purposeful and intentional reminders of our reasons for celebrating.
Good Friday is always a day I feel so very conflicted with sorrow and joy; sorrow because of the brutal death He died to take MY punishment..but joy because MY punishment was dealt with through the ultimate act of LOVE. I will never understand but always be thankful for God's love for me and it motivates me to share to the best of my abilities with my children.
This morning as I read from Mark 15 and on into Luke 23 I got a bit frustrated with Madie. I always have these expectations for her heart to be instantly transformed and to my disappointment, it was all I could do to get her to even sit still. I was about ready to throw the towel in when Hannah looked at me with a very terrified and sad look on her face and said, "Mommy, I don't like this story. I don't want Jesus to die. How will He save me?" Oh my sweet three year old Hannah...my heart was instantly lifted. Little did I know that the one who can't sit still for a half a second was listening so intently; I told her that the story was not finished yet and there was still more to come that would make her very happy and exited! Her little concerned face turned into a smile as we finished with the memory verses for today and made our tomb. I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the little ears that were listening this morning and asking Him to make Himself real to them as they continue learning and growing.
Our memory verse for today is, Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
No greater love is there than a man who could look on such nasty sin as He steps into their/our place to take on the weight of the sin of the world to satisfy the wrath of God. May our hearts reflect on the sacrifice that was made. Thanks be to God for His great love!
Good Friday is always a day I feel so very conflicted with sorrow and joy; sorrow because of the brutal death He died to take MY punishment..but joy because MY punishment was dealt with through the ultimate act of LOVE. I will never understand but always be thankful for God's love for me and it motivates me to share to the best of my abilities with my children.
This morning as I read from Mark 15 and on into Luke 23 I got a bit frustrated with Madie. I always have these expectations for her heart to be instantly transformed and to my disappointment, it was all I could do to get her to even sit still. I was about ready to throw the towel in when Hannah looked at me with a very terrified and sad look on her face and said, "Mommy, I don't like this story. I don't want Jesus to die. How will He save me?" Oh my sweet three year old Hannah...my heart was instantly lifted. Little did I know that the one who can't sit still for a half a second was listening so intently; I told her that the story was not finished yet and there was still more to come that would make her very happy and exited! Her little concerned face turned into a smile as we finished with the memory verses for today and made our tomb. I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the little ears that were listening this morning and asking Him to make Himself real to them as they continue learning and growing.
Our memory verse for today is, Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
No greater love is there than a man who could look on such nasty sin as He steps into their/our place to take on the weight of the sin of the world to satisfy the wrath of God. May our hearts reflect on the sacrifice that was made. Thanks be to God for His great love!
Our "Holy Week" Calendar for this year
Discussing what they just heard
We made a tomb
Watching it cook
We'll put Jesus in the tomb later today when it is done cooking.
No comments:
Post a Comment