Sunday, April 20, 2014

A Holiday Blessing

Easter Sunday is a time of celebration.  After paying the ultimate price for our sin, Jesus rose from the dead in three days' time.  He is our Redeemer.  Our Savior.  Our Hope.

As a child, I loved Easter.  Not only did it mean my grandma would take me to find a pretty new dress, it meant dyeing (and then hunting) eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny.  However, before any egg hunting commenced or chocolate bunnies lost their ears, we went to church to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.  Hymns and sermons delivered messages of God's love, the gift of hope we have in Christ, and promises of His abundant mercies and faithfulness.  

When Paige and Jeremy came along, the traditions continued.  The kiddos would wake to discover small treasures delivered by their long-eared bunny friend.  Most of the time, they could talk us into "just a small piece" of candy before we dressed in our Easter outfits and headed to church.  This was followed by a lunch spread at their grandma's house that included ham, homemade mashed potatoes, and various fruit and vegetable dishes.  Once everyone was nice and full, it was time to get busy hunting eggs.  

This year would be different.  With Paige's next phase of treatment delayed by an unplanned hospital stay, it appeared that she and I would be spending Easter in the hospital for a chemotherapy treatment.  Trying to prepare for our family to be separated again--on a holiday, no less--was quite the emotional challenge.  Thursday's clinic visit brought the news that she did not make counts to start that day, so we were sent home to rest, recover, and try again the following week.  

What a blessing this turned out to be!  Because Paige had gone a little over a week with no chemo, her energy and spirits were in great supply.  She helped decorate the traditional Easter Bunny cake and even felt like egg hunting with her brother and cousin!  Due to low infection fighting abilities, she was unable to attend church with her brother and me--but make no mistake.  This girl knows she is living proof of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.  The smiles, laughter, and contagious joy coming from her today combined to create an incredible blessing!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.   Romans 12:12

1 comment:

  1. I hope you have a good week. Looks like Easter was fun.

    Marguerite (friend of Elaine)

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