A Treasured Easter Memory

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Funny how things pop into your mind and you really don't know why.  The memory is jogged in a most unexpected way.

A few days ago we had about two inches of snow fall in Portland.  And yes, our hyacinths had bloomed early.  Only to find themselves blanketed in a cloak of white.

Several days latter torrential rains came and although the hyacinths had perked up their heads, the rain battered them right back down again.

As I thought about their battle for supremacy in their world of plants and springtime showiness, I was reminded of an Easter in my childhood when it snowed.  Not a normal occurrence in Nashville, the snow surprised us on Easter morning.

I must have been around five years old.  Just old enough to be smitten with the new dress, gloves, hat and black patent leather Mary Janes that were waiting to be donned for church.

When mama saw the snow, I heard her say to daddy, "We'll just put on one of her other Sunday dresses and an older pair of shoes.  It will be OK.  She can wear the new things next Sunday."

I'm sorry but I was having nothing to do with that.  I had new clothes, something that didn't happen often in our home, and I was going to wear them!

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It was a struggle to reach the dress mama had rehung in the closet.  With the help of my little desk chair, I managed to fetch it and the hat.  The lace-trimmed socks and gloves were back in their drawer ready to nap their way through Easter.  And those shoes -- shiny and black -- were easy enough to reach.  They sat at attention on the closet floor.

Mama was busy, so I went about dressing myself.  Oh, was she livid when she found me ready to go in my new garb!

The neighbors probably heard her screaming to me, "Take those clothes and shoes off this instant, young lady!  You're not wearing those today in the snow."

About that time, daddy appeared in the doorway.  Usually he didn't interfere with mama's mandates but this time he did.

"Let her wear the new clothes.  And to make sure nothing happens to the shoes or anything else, I'll carry Sherrey from the front door of the house to the car and at the church from the car to the entrance.  It's going to be OK."

I breathed a sigh of relief.  My hero had come to my rescue just like a princess waiting in the tower for her knight.

And daddy did just as he said -- he carried me to the car and then from the car to the church.  Not a flake of snow touched me that morning.

I hold many memories of my dad close to my heart, but this is one of my favorite, perhaps because it is associated with Easter.

After all, Easter is a time when we hopefully stop and think about the love and compassion God showed for each of us when He gave us the gift of His Son Jesus.  I've always liked to think of my Heavenly Father in the image of my own father, whose caring and love extended far beyond an Easter Sunday morning.

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Linking up with Darlene at

We Aren't Strangers Any More . . .

Our pastor related the most charming story during his sermon.  Today was World Communion and Peacemaking Sunday, and the message today was on reaching out to those of all diversities and ethnicities and making the effort to show God's love.  So, our pastor shared the following with us:

Pastor had been traveling and boarded a plan bound for home in Oregon.  He took his seat beside the window and pulled out a book he was reading and enjoying very much.  His eyes took in the two seats beside him and noted with some degree of selfishness that they were not taken and perhaps he'd be alone and in quiet for the duration of the flight.

Soon, however, a young mother with a young son took those seats and began settling in.  The little boy turned and looked at Pastor with a huge smile.  How could you turn away?  Fairly soon it was acknowledged that said little boy was three years old and named Nathan.  Nathan immediately took up with our pastor and began chattering away.  Not too long into the conversation, Nathan announced to our pastor, "We aren't strangers any more.  I love you!"  The innocence and unconditional love that children possess was evidenced in Nathan's bold and honest statement. 

Eventually Nathan managed to get out of his seat belt and climbed into our pastor's lap.  Not being strangers makes everything much more comfortable.  And adding love to that recipe is the ultimate in outreach and spreading God's love!

Young Nathan is an example to all of us!  Let's see if we can't be less like strangers and more like people in love with each other this week. 

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."  John 13:33-35 (The Message)

Are We THAT Old?

My husband and I have been struggling with some hip and back issues, respectively.  In a conversation last Saturday with our older son, he mentioned "dropping by" that afternoon.  I cautioned that the house he might find wouldn't be the house kept the way he remembers when living at home.  Instantly, we were offered help from son and his wife today to "help" us get caught up on things inside and out.  BAM!  That hit us both hard -- we interpreted it as a statement on our aging (we're 74 and 65!).  We've struggled this week about what to let them do as we all know that no one does things the way we do ourselves.

A friend pointed out that they are trying to do the only thing they can and know to do.  Our medical issues are beyond their control and assistance, so they are looking for a way to ease the burdens in our lives.  She is most likely correct.  We've prayed for God to shower us with gracious thoughts and attitudes today as we don't want to have hurt feelings among family, and we want to honor our son and daughter-in-law's caring nature. 

Our plan is to take them to lunch so that we can at least have some time of sharing about our recent days and weeks, and also to spend time with our son who travels out of town quite a bit in his job.  The reality is we don't see them often even though we live in the same town, so beyond the help offered this is a chance to spend quality time together. 

Father, I ask that you watch over our thoughts, words and deeds today that we will honor Craig and Gigi and their caring for us.  Give us quality time together and sharing around the table not only sustenance for our bodies but for our souls.  Amen.

Q4U:  What similar experiences have you had and how did you handle them?