Saturday 19 April 2014

:: the saturday of questions ::

It's Easter Saturday. That gap between Good Friday, when we simultaneously eat hot-cross buns and try to fathom the incredible implications of what Jesus did in giving up His life for us, and Easter Sunday, when we pull out the Easter eggs to hide around the garden for our children to find, and celebrate the new life and new beginnings He offered us in coming back to life. Sometimes I think about this Saturday and what it might have been like for those living right in the middle of it. Jesus had spoken of rebuilding the Temple in three days, but did they really understand literally what that would mean? Jesus was now dead. What were his followers doing? What were they thinking? How were they feeling? It must have been horrific, without doubt, to have seen what had happened to Jesus the day before. To have felt helpless to defend him, not to mention too afraid to stand up against the forces of the authorities. I wonder what this day, the silent one after his death and before his resurrection, was like for them...

Empty?

Hopeless?

Doubt-filled?

Were they overwhelmed with regret and what-ifs and Why did/didn't I do that?

Were they questioning life Is this all there is?
 

Sure, Jesus had spoken of things to come and of His Kingdom, but on that day did it seem like all those dreams were dead also? Unlike us, they didn't have the benefit of knowing what was just about to happen in the following days. But, how often is it very similar for us, too,  in our distrust when we contemplate our future, even with the Easter story as a backdrop?

Disillusioned, overwhelmed by hopelessness and doubt, wondering if it's all really true? Or, Is it just too good to be true? That same voice that pulls us away so easily from the hope and the inexpressable joy that is ours in trusting that what Jesus has promised us. The voices that keep us from enjoying the sweet taste, unlike anything else, of the fullness of life that comes when we live out the truth of who He is, who we were created to be, and in loving and valuing others as who they were created to be!

Today started out as one of those days for me, if I'm honest. I'm not sure why - apart from the fact that there are some big things ahead - but I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed about life and it's easy to really wonder what is ahead, letting doubt and worry flood in. I have the promises in my mind, and I'm surrounded by so much goodness, but still I waver and struggle. Thankfully there is that glimmer of hope within me - a quiet confidence that...







This serves as a beautiful reminder for us as much as it was for those who went through that Saturday so long ago. As Jesus' followers discovered on that beautiful Sunday morning, and the subsequent days filled with awe and joy, we also have that in part now and one day will experience it in all its fullness: that life - true life - is so, so much better than anything we've ever known before!

So let's enjoy those Easter eggs tomorrow, celebrating the sweet taste and the symbol of the new life, hope and joy that Jesus freely offers us!


Sunday 13 April 2014

:: 15 : 52 ::


"A portrait of our children once a week, every week, in 2014."




A: We made spiced buns together the other day. As always, when we bake, much of the dough goes into your mouth ;o) You were very conscientious rolling out your bun and making a 'snowman' here :o)

E: You were finishing the recipe we wrote of how we made our spiced buns - adding all sorts of ingredients that were making you giggle :o)

T: It hasn't been the best of weeks for you but you've still kept your beautiful smile and gentle spirit. A visit to the doctor at the beginning of the week showed a burst ear drum, which came as a complete surprise to us because you hadn't shown any discomfort with, what must have been, an ear infection prior to this. Sweet baby. Another visit will be made tomorrow, and we hope it's healing up!






Sunday 6 April 2014

:: 14 : 52 ::


"A portrait of our children once a week, every week, in 2014."





A & E: We're enjoying the sunny, dry, hot Indian summer days and this moment, sprinkled with your laughter, contagious giggles, flurry of movement and ever-changing imagination for all the uses of ribbons, was one that I smiled at as I watched and stored away in my memory bank :o)

T: You can now sit up pretty well on your own now, which is a fun change of perspective for you, no doubt! I still tuck those cushions around you, because you like to throw yourself back with a twinkle in your eye as you go, lying back and trying to lift yourself back up. I like this shot because Oska is behind you, and you love to watch him with a big smile on your face, fascinated by all he does. And, now you can say...