Holy Week

I can't say that I have ever had a Holy Week like I have experienced this year. First, we started with the ever popular Holy Week tea party in Haley's room. She and Evan put a box and doll trunk together to make a table for two tea sets and a half dozen stuffed animals dressed in their party best. Jed and I entered with our hot tea and coffee then joined the party in time to read the day's "resurrection egg". It is amazing to see the kids' excitement about Easter. A parent at dance said they overhead Haley talking about the resurrection with other girls and it was so cool to know that she really is excited to talk about her faith.

Today we colored eggs and it was a much better experience than last year. A few eggs cracked and splashed but it was worth it. We can't wait to decorate with them on Easter morning. Both kids worked together to get all the eggs colored, glittered and put back in the egg carton.

This is also our first Holy Week at Restoration, our church plant in Addison. I can't even describe the ways that God has been working and teaching me this year about His love, grace and mercy. Jed and I have witnessed an immeasurable amount of pain and suffering this week in the lives of the parishioners...job losses, divorce, separation from loved ones, sickness, addiction and more than I can mention. That's the reality of life all around us. People are facing pain, loss and heartache and all we have to offer is love, the love that led the Son of God to the cross for us all.

For whatever reason, Jed and I have caught a tiny glimpse of the pain that Christ carried to the cross on our behalf. He didn't deserve it but God loved us so much, He sent His Son to walk on this earth to feel our pain, to experience suffering and to love His people. In His grace and mercy this love also led Christ to die on the cross so that we could experience forgiveness, love and mercy beyond anything we can experience on earth. The resurrection brings hope and the strength to continue to press into people's lives as well as loving others right where they are in the midst of their suffering. What a joy it is to be able to walk with others in life and what a privilege it is to be called to shared in people's joys and sorrows, praying and loving only as God equips.