There is so much talk about Easter and the meaning of Easter, but has anyone thought about the day after Easter?
What does that mean? The day after Easter, when the frilly dresses are put away, most of the candy is eaten, the plastic eggs have all been found and the ham is well on its way to becoming a left over meal for the third meal in a row.
We listen to the preacher talk to the masses about how Jesus rose on the third day. We all shout Hosanna, Amen and He is Risen. But what about the day after Easter?
Why am I stuck on the day after Easter? I was just struck by the notion that there is something missing the day after Easter. Do we go back to our normal routine and not worry about or think about what yesterday meant to us? Do we look at the decorations and wonder when we are going to put them away until next year? Do we look at our hearts and wonder if we will put that feeling of pure joy that Jesus has risen away for another year?
Is Easter just another holiday? Do we have the wrong thoughts regarding Easter? What does Easter really mean to each and every one of us?
If you are looking for an answer, I will be honest; no answers are found with me. I am also at loss as to what the day after Easter means. I would love to say that I am just as passionate about Easter as I am the days that follow Easter. But sadly, it is not always the case.
I wish that I had the heartfelt joy that I have on Easter as I do the day after. Yesterday, Easter Sunday the weather was absolutely wonderful in Hendersonville North Carolina. Great temperature, sun shining, no strong wind, absolutely wonderful. It was a day worthy of celebrating the Risen Savior.
Today was cold, dreary, wet and overall a YUCKY day. That made me think of what I do to carry Easter throughout the year.
This is the day the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Dannett
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Family Fun Day
I am getting ready for my second year on the Family Fun Day committee. We plan an incredible day of fun for families with a member who has developmental disabilities. We have tons of activities planned for the day and quite a bit of work goes into the planning stages.
It is an awesome experience for me. I have worked with the developmentally disabled for so many years. I have a six year old nephew with a seizure disorder and developmental disabilities. Some of the other members of the team have children with a diagnosis of a disability. It is incredible to see their faces as they come together to put on a day just for their children and the others in the community with a diagnosis of a developmental disability.
Can I ask a favor? If you see someone with an obvious or not so obvious disability, can you look at them in the eye and say hello? Can you see all the amazing things they can do so well? Can you look at the love in their hearts and the skills that they have worked so hard in accomplishing?
What you take for granted, these families look at as a miracle. What you get frustrated with, these families see a new skill learned. What you see as heartbreak, these families see as the most incredible and perfect child. A child may have needs that are more difficult to fulfill; but will love you unconditionally.
That is what family fund day is all about. Family Fun Day celebrates the fun every family needs, the fun that every family deserves, the fun that accommodates the needs of the population that often sites on the outside trying to fit in.
If you are interested in finding out more about Family Fun Day, please contact me.
It is an awesome experience for me. I have worked with the developmentally disabled for so many years. I have a six year old nephew with a seizure disorder and developmental disabilities. Some of the other members of the team have children with a diagnosis of a disability. It is incredible to see their faces as they come together to put on a day just for their children and the others in the community with a diagnosis of a developmental disability.
Can I ask a favor? If you see someone with an obvious or not so obvious disability, can you look at them in the eye and say hello? Can you see all the amazing things they can do so well? Can you look at the love in their hearts and the skills that they have worked so hard in accomplishing?
What you take for granted, these families look at as a miracle. What you get frustrated with, these families see a new skill learned. What you see as heartbreak, these families see as the most incredible and perfect child. A child may have needs that are more difficult to fulfill; but will love you unconditionally.
That is what family fund day is all about. Family Fun Day celebrates the fun every family needs, the fun that every family deserves, the fun that accommodates the needs of the population that often sites on the outside trying to fit in.
If you are interested in finding out more about Family Fun Day, please contact me.
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Sick Child
Yesterday, my 14 year old came home from school and walked past me to lay on the sofa. "I am cold and my stomach hurts", was all he said. He is a naturally tanned child but yesterday he was white. He had a fever of 103 degrees. While every fever has its reasons and risks, you would have thought my child was dying. My concern was real and my son was definitely ill. He doesn't get sick often, but when he does; he gets very sick.
I know that my husband and I have been very blessed with healthy children. There are parents who have children with long term and critical illnesses who pray daily that the worst illness they dealt with is a short term virus. There are parents with children who have disabilities, life threatening crisis' and there are parents who are saying good bye to their children forever.
There is nothing more devastating then having your child suffer. To have a child ill to the point of dying is a traumatic event for the whole family. Can you ever recover from the death of a child or a child who has a lifelong devastating disability?
Yes, you can recover. By no means is it something that will be easy to do. Recover does not mean forget your child. It means you are able to see the future continuing even when your child is not there with you.
How can you see the future without your child? By knowing that the God who made us and takes us home with him can offer that same to you. You can live with the promise that God has given us, the promise of eternal life in heaven.
We need to also remember what God has been through. His only Son was sent to earth with real dangers to Him. Jesus was hunted by Kings, killing children two and under in the hopes of killing the young Savior. Jesus was hated by his own people. Jesus was beaten, whipped, and crucified. God gave his son as the savior of the people he created and his son was crucified. While Jesus was raised from the dead and seen by the people in as little as three days after he died, we can rest in the assurance that we too will be able to see our loved ones, our lost children in heaven.
Make sure your children know about the gift that God offers each and every one of us. Make sure as well that you are taking the lead on a real relationship with God. Whether you believe Jesus is your Savior, ask Jesus into your heart, or whatever the new catch phrase is; make sure the relationship with Jesus is there in your hearts and your children's hearts. Do it today if you haven't done so already.
Being a parent is a difficult job with lots of love for our children. Make sure you are ready for this responsibility in your heart as well.
I know that my husband and I have been very blessed with healthy children. There are parents who have children with long term and critical illnesses who pray daily that the worst illness they dealt with is a short term virus. There are parents with children who have disabilities, life threatening crisis' and there are parents who are saying good bye to their children forever.
There is nothing more devastating then having your child suffer. To have a child ill to the point of dying is a traumatic event for the whole family. Can you ever recover from the death of a child or a child who has a lifelong devastating disability?
Yes, you can recover. By no means is it something that will be easy to do. Recover does not mean forget your child. It means you are able to see the future continuing even when your child is not there with you.
How can you see the future without your child? By knowing that the God who made us and takes us home with him can offer that same to you. You can live with the promise that God has given us, the promise of eternal life in heaven.
We need to also remember what God has been through. His only Son was sent to earth with real dangers to Him. Jesus was hunted by Kings, killing children two and under in the hopes of killing the young Savior. Jesus was hated by his own people. Jesus was beaten, whipped, and crucified. God gave his son as the savior of the people he created and his son was crucified. While Jesus was raised from the dead and seen by the people in as little as three days after he died, we can rest in the assurance that we too will be able to see our loved ones, our lost children in heaven.
Make sure your children know about the gift that God offers each and every one of us. Make sure as well that you are taking the lead on a real relationship with God. Whether you believe Jesus is your Savior, ask Jesus into your heart, or whatever the new catch phrase is; make sure the relationship with Jesus is there in your hearts and your children's hearts. Do it today if you haven't done so already.
Being a parent is a difficult job with lots of love for our children. Make sure you are ready for this responsibility in your heart as well.
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