Easter Through a Child's Eyes

Last week we went to a Good Friday Easter presentation. Part of the time our almost 3 year-old grandson sat on my lap, eyes glued to the unfolding drama. He seemed particularly impressed with Jesus. Kale never took his eyes off him the entire time Jesus was onstage. "Where did Jesus go?" he asked, as Jesus exited stage left. "He'll be back," I told him.

Questions continued as Jesus was put onto the cross. "What are they doing?" "Why is she (Mary) crying?" "Is the mean man (Caiaphas) coming back?" And then, as Jesus was laid on a bench to be wrapped in burial cloths, a final question, "He's taking a nap?"

We smile at the responses of children and yet, in many ways they get it! The main one in the story IS Jesus - let's fix our eyes on him! Jesus himself referred to death as sleep. His "nap" lasted 3 days. Then he arose victorious over sin and death! We are supposed to watch eagerly for his return and he WILL be back! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Happy Birthday, Gladys!

This week I called Gladys. She is an incredible lady, a real example of someone who "walks the talk." In March she fell getting out of bed at night. There on the floor she prayed and asked the Lord to help her, and as she tells it, "He did and I got back up onto the bed and went to sleep. In the morning I was sore but I figured I bruised myself, and I could walk with the help of a walker." But walking became more painful and, sure enough, she'd been walking all week with a broken hip. After surgery for a hip replacement, a stay in the hospital and then rehab in the assisted living unit, Gladys was settling back into her apartment.

We shared news. Then Gladys asked for updates on my family members - my mother and "Peter's mother", my aunts, Shirley and Doris, my brothers, Bill and Paul. She is a genuine prayer warrior who's prayed for my brothers and me our whole lives, my aunts and mother as long as she's known them, and Pete's mom ever since she met Pete last summer. When Gladys prays things happen!

There's a special place in my heart for Gladys. She led my Daddy to the Lord when he was a teenager. And I am so thankful for her strong witness, faithfulness in prayer, and love for Jesus.

On May 1st Gladys will celebrate her 95th birthday with a brand new hip, a host of memories, and the gratitude of a whole slew of people who were impacted by her faith.

Happy Birthday, Gladys! You are loved.