Honesty

A conversation with my nephew:
Me: "Joshua, don't chew on your nails."
Josh: "I'm not."
Me: "What are you doing?"
Josh: "Picking my nose."
Me: "Why?"
Josh: "Because I like it."
Me: "Oh, well, you probably shouldn't do that. It's kinda gross."
Josh: "Ok."

Today

I was ignored last night.
It made me feel less than.
I was invisible last night.
It made me wonder if I had a place.
I was alone last night.

I was taken seriously this morning.
It made me feel alive.
I was thought about this morning.
It made feel connected.
I was part of something this morning.

I stopped today.
It made me run late.
I listened today.
It made me understand.
I paid attention today.
It made him smile.

Easter!

It's Easter! What an amazing day. Just imagine...
Not too long ago a man was tortured and killed because of who he said he was. He was pronounced dead. His friends were distraught. They had lost an amazing friend...but not only that, he had been their hope. They believed that he was God. He was the one who was coming to save their people. But, he was dead. He was gone. Their hope was gone. They were not to be saved. Why didn't they do something instead of running and hiding? Why did they desert the one who they loved. The one who loved them. They wished they would have been the ones to die. But then...
The women came running into the room. Jesus isn't in the tomb! Peter & John ran. Angels! Mary saw Him. Jesus was in the room. It turned from a tense room they were using as a hiding spot to a party atmosphere. Mourning and fear became hugs, questions, listening, alertness, and laughs. Imagine...Jesus is back! He's alive! Wha...but...how? Why? What was it like? Why did it have to happen this way? I'm sorry. You are Lord. The Son of God! He is more powerful even than death.
Blood has always been part of the deal. Wrongs must be paid for with blood. It should be ours. In the old testament, God allowed animals to be sacrificed in place of us. But the new testament brought Jesus, the man who was perfect in every way. He died as our "animal"...our replacement. He is our redemption. He is our blood. He is the Hope of mankind. He has risen. He has defeated death. And in defeating death he has given us true life. What an amazing day.