Apr
14
2020
Three Little Words
Posted in Faith 4 Comments
Easter was very different this year.
We were not able to go to church.
We watched the livestream of the church service in our family room.
There were no Easter baskets, since I never had time to shop before things shut down.
Yet, Easter was sweet.
Easter was stripped of all the trimmings.
We focused on what Easter really means.
Not that the meaning got lost other years, just that the meaning was magnified this year.
Years ago, a worship leader I knew said something I never forgot.
What if there was a power outage?
What if we had no microphones or a way to plug in our instruments?
Worship would still happen.
Worship would be bare bones and so very sweet.
Worship would be about the One to whom we sing.
No trappings; no extras.
Just Jesus.
We are keeping our family circle intentionally small right now.
Another grandbaby is on the way.
In less than two weeks, the baby arrives, as God allows.
We want to be careful during the virus crisis, so we can be available to help our daughter.
I have seen one granddaughter during this virus crisis.
She is going to be a big sister soon.
I miss my other granddaughter so much.
I look forward to a sweet reunion with lots of hugs.
So many thoughts were swirling in my head throughout the day.
I was grateful that I could be with some of my family.
I was grateful for food to put on the table for our Easter dinner.
I was thankful for the beautiful weather that seemed to lift the gloom of uncertainty.
It was important to eat in the dining room.
It was important to use my mother’s china.
It was important to make our traditional Easter meal.
It was important to continue to do the things we have done on past Easter Sundays.
My oldest daughter went up into the attic to get some plastic eggs and a bucket.
She wanted to hide some eggs around the yard for our granddaughter to find.
When she hid the eggs, she called her little niece.
Almost two years old, she was so excited to get started.
She knows her colors.
She was so proud of herself as she reported the color of the eggs she found.
She found the eggs even when they were a little hard to find.
She carried her bucket of eggs as if it was a treasure.
Seeing the sheer joy on her little face, brightened our day.
There has been so much bad news.
There are so many people who need prayer.
It was a welcome respite to have some normalcy in our lives for a while.
I sliced the ham as my daughters lit the candle and filled water glasses.
My son-in-love prayed before we ate.
I sat at one end of the table and my husband was at the other end.
The grandfather’s clock in the dining room chimed on the hour.
Everyone was talking; I was thinking.
There was gratitude mixed with sadness.
Sadness as I missed my sons, my daughters-in-love, and my other granddaughter.
Sadness as I thought of how different things are and how isolated we have been.
I didn’t think my thoughts would be evident.
I didn’t think anyone would see even a hint of them on my face.
They were all talking, so my thoughts could stay safely in my head.
Except, I was noticed.
Grandma not happy, my little granddaughter said.
Those three little words were like a fog horn.
Those three little words shattered the mood that had come over me.
My sadness was seen by this sweet little girl sitting next to me.
Oh, sweetheart, Grandma is happy!
I have you right next to me, I said giving her a big smile.
She smiled back.
It was as if cold water was thrown in my face.
A quote from Charles Swindoll came to mind.
When I have a wrong attitude, I look at life humanly. When I have a right attitude, I look at life divinely.
Had I forgotten what Easter is all about?
Had I forgotten that my salvation was purchased on the cross by the One in whom I believe?
Had I forgotten the gifts I had sitting around the table with me?
Had I forgotten that God is in control and will never leave me?
Intellectually, I would say I had not forgotten any of those things.
However, my face and my countenance said otherwise.
My almost two-year-old granddaughter noticed.
God used an innocent child to turn my eyes to Him.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:25-33)
When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves, he sank.
You and I sink as well.
We can look at our circumstances, with all the problems, and grow weary.
Or we can look at our great God and have hope.
My little granddaughter noticed something I thought I hid well.
Grandma not happy.
God used this precious little girl to turn my head.
In the turning of my head, my eyes turned as well, along with my heart.
Let’s take our eyes off of the waves.
Let’s turn our eyes towards Jesus.
Little eyes are watching us.
Our countenance matters.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Gina,
Thank you I missed my family so much this Resurrection Sunday, our grandsons came over late in the afternoon to drop off a bag with dyed eggs with our names Grandma and Grandpop on them and they left after about 10 minutes to go back with their parents for dinner at their own home. It was joyful but sad at the same time because we could not enjoy the meal together. They are very careful about distancing themselves to keep us safe, but it is hard.
The Lord has been taking me on a journey. I know all the blessings and all the Christ Jesus has done, I have been asking myself or God has been asking me?. Am I enough? Those things that I miss are important to grieve,but, have they become idols? Have I allowed, family, church, relationships, traditions to become more important then my relationship with Christ? I hope not?
Your granddaughter is a very perceptive little girl and as we know a little child will lead them. It is wonderful that she knows her grandma so well that she can tell when things are a little off.
Thanks so much.
Yes, Carol, this was a very different Easter.
Different in the way it was celebrated, but not different in its meaning.
I understand your questions and your ponderings.
This time of isolation is showing us what really matters.
For that, I am grateful, but it is still hard.
Blessings,
Gina
Gina
Loved this message as I too had a bad moment. I prayed and Jesus took it away.My heart is heavy yet but Jesus is with me
Amen, Barb!
Being weary and sad during this time is not an act of unbelief.
It is a cry to the God who made us and knows us best, to help us in our time of need.
Gina