Take Time to Be There
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Easter brings back many rich memories of special activities that my daughters and I have shared over the years. But although the egg hunts and hiding baskets were fun it is the memories of participating in the Passion Play at our church that has left such a deep imprint on not only my life but also the life of my oldest daughter. It was the opportunity to experience the Easter story together which has changed our lives.
It was seven years ago on a cold Sunday in January. My oldest daughter was nine at the time. We began hearing talk about the upcoming Passion Play.
“What’s that, Mommy?”
“Oh it’s a play where they act out the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and then Resurrection,” I explained.
“Can we do that? Can I be in the play? Will there be angels?”
I remember smiling that day at her enthusiasm and telling her that we would look into it. Although I knew that participating in this event would be meaningful I had no idea how great an experience it would be.
Yes, there were many reasons which made it difficult for us to participate. We lived a long way from the church. The rehearsals were many. But still, the more I thought and prayed about it, the more I sensed that it was something we needed to do as a family.
Much to my daughter’s dismay they decided that she would be one of the spectators. Her desire to be an angel would have to wait until she was older. I sang in the choir and loved singing. Participating in the practices became part of our weekly routine that year. Each Wednesday night we stopped at McDonalds on our way home, ordered our nuggets and fries and then rode the rest of the way singing the songs from the Passion Play.
Those times of preparation drew the members of the church together as we approached the big day. At long last the dress rehearsal came. I watched my daughter’s big brown eyes grow serious when she looked at the older girls dressed in their beautiful angel robes. But the moment passed and she took her place with the other members of the crowd who celebrated Jesus on Palm Sunday with glad hosannas. It was as if we were drawn into the heart of the Easter Story through those rehearsals.
I could feel the highs of exultation as they waved their palms. But very quickly the tone changed and with heavy heart we watched as Jesus carried the cross. Darker painful moments came as He hung on the cross. I could not hold back my tears as I watched my Lord be crucified. My daughter too experienced the pain of seeing it enacted before her eyes.
“It hurts to watch Jesus die,” she spoke quietly one night as we drove home together.
“Yes, it does, honey. You really can feel it, can’t you?”
“It was one thing when we read it in the Bible but to be part of the Passion Play and to see it, well..its more real.”
“I know. I feel it too.” I whispered a word of thanks that we were led to experience this together. I knew that we would never see Easter the same any more.
And we haven’t.
The years have come and gone. We are no longer able to participate in a Passion Play.
But the truth which came alive for us then still lives. The Resurrection can only be deeply experienced by going through the crucifixion.
As I ponder those memories this morning the question came to me. Did it make a difference that my daughter was a part of the crowd instead of being an angel?
“ What do you think now that its years later?” I asked.
“Oh I’m sure glad that I was part of the crowd. That’s where I needed to be. The angels couldn’t experience it the same way.”
How true.
Help me Lord to give myself the opportunity of being there again this Easter. May the wonder of His great Love overwhelm you and your family at the deepest level of your being.
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Tender Moments of Adoption
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I saw a picture a few days ago. It was of a father embracing his adoptive son on adoption day. What touched me were the obvious emotions of both father and son on that day. Love abounding. Joy overflowing. Arms embracing. Hearts alive.
For 16 years now I have been privileged to parent my Russian born daughter. Those years have been years of deep joy and love. Life has not always been easy. We sometimes sit and reminisce moments long past which at the time seemed overwhelming. But we made it. We faced the challenges together. Today I marvel at her beauty and maturity. God matched us perfectly.
Seven years ago when I stepped out in faith and adopted my youngest who was then two I wondered how we would do it. I questioned my ability to mother two children along with working full time. But once more, God has provided. Together we are doing it. Our home is filled with a laughter and joy that many families with two parents don’t often have,
So my hat goes off to every single that chooses to adopt a child. I especially applaud those father who have chosen to adopt and are pouring their lives into the life of a child.
You are the heroes in my book. It takes a special call, I think. And when you have heard it, you know.
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Roll The Stone Away
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
“Did you do that?” I asked one morning. It was a behavior my daughter and I had dealt with a long time ago.
She looked up at me with her big brown eyes.
“No, Mommy, I didn’t do that.” Relief flooded my heart.
“Way to go, honey. Thanks for telling me the truth.” I gave her a hug and she ran off happy with the world.
But I was left pondering what had just happened. For a few moments I had silently accused without knowing the truth. If you had asked me I thought surely I was right. Why? Because of the past. The stone of past offenses had blinded me to the truth of today.
How grateful I am that God not only rolled away the stone so that man could see the truth of the Risen Lord. How thrilled I am that He continues to roll the stone away so that we can see the Truth today.
Past offenses must be forgiven. Wounds can be healed. Children can learn. And most of all parents can have their eyes opened so that their children can grow.
Is there a stone that you need removed today? Ask Him. He is more than able to move it and open the Way for Light and Healing.
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No Longer An Orphan
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
It was an ordinary day. My youngest daughter and I had gone to the local store for our weekly shopping. We both enjoyed these occasions to not only be together but also to experience the fun of buying food
We had just turned up another aisle when I heard her voice beside me.
“Mommy, can we get some oranges?”
I looked at the oranges and then at her as she gazed down on the huge bin of perfectly shaped oranges.
“Sure honey,” I answered as I remembered a time more than seven years ago in an orphanage far across the
It was Christmas time. All the children in the Russian orphanage were excited about receiving their gift. One orange. It was a special treat for them living in a place where fresh fruit was a delicacy.
‘Oh sure honey,’ the spirit within me cried out. ‘Take as many oranges as you want. You are no longer an orphan. You are my child.’
My daughter no longer remembers that time in the orphanage. But I do.
There are moments I experienced back then that I will always treasure in my heart.
No longer an orphan.
Adoption has changed everything for my daughter. She not only has my last name, and a family and as many oranges as her little heart wants but she also has a future and a faith in the One Who holds her in His Hand.
Some children continue to live like orphans years after they have been adopted. The healing process of becoming adopted on the inside takes time and work and a lot of love. Parenting those who are still struggling to accept that they are no longer orphans is not always easy. But it is well worth all the efforts. Matter of fact, you have no idea how great a difference you are making.
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Don't miss this opportunity
Monday, March 1, 2010
Every once in a while you come upon a book which holds you in its grip until the very last page. That’s what “Ransomed” did to me. Els Van Hierden skillfully weaves the stories of Jared and Vanessa Williams who long to adopt a son in
I found myself remembering incidents that I had personally experienced while in
The author and her husband adopted their fifth child from
If you read one book in the coming year check out “Ransomed”.
I'm so excited about this book that I am offering a copy to the first person who contacts me. Don't miss this opportunity. Hurry!
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