So it was Easter

Easter was a bit different for us this year. Instead of being in church all weekend, leading the services, and then running from family gathering to gathering, it was quiet.

On Friday our church didn't have a Good Friday service. We talked to a few other people who attended different churches, but there was no service there either. I was a bit disappointed about the thought of not going to a service on Friday because I'm such a creature of habit, not going meant breaking a 29 year tradition. We did however watch a few minutes of a Good Friday service on television with some pretty frank atonement theology. Last week at homegroup we started talking about atonement theories and so I've been mulling that over in my head for the past couple of days....

On Saturday we had court potluck (which I'll blog about in my next post) and then an Easter egg hunt. Carl and I and another couple had purchased jelly bean filled eggs plus chocolate eggs to scatter around the courtyard. The kids and adults all had a great time. Some of the chocolate eggs however were melting all over everyones hands because they were sitting in the sun too long. Oops!
.

.
On Sunday we all woke up and had a pancake breakfast. Again, I was a bit disappointed that our church didn't have an Easter breakfast. I always enjoyed sitting around tables with my fellow Braesiders celebrating Christ's resurrection, especially after having gathered on Friday to contemplate his suffering and death.

As we got dressed, Kezia was thrilled out of her mind to wear her new Easter dress. I bought her and Asha matching dresses, Kezia's was pink, Asha's green. Joel got a new yellow and blue striped dress shirt with nice khakis. I made an impulse purchase and got a new green skirt and white top and cardigan. And poor Carl didn't get a new Easter outfit. Well, he wasn't that disappointed; he looked handsome in his blue shirt and khakis.

Church was pretty empty. Most of the people we connect with weren't there, probably off to other churches or gone for the Easter weekend to see family. The singing was really good and there were some nice readings in between. But there wasn't a celebratory feel to the service, nor were there indications that proclaimed, Hey! Christ has Risen! No exchange of He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed (which I miss because Helen and Betty always greeted me with that on Easter morning, accompanied by their famous hug).

And then the pastor got up to preach and it only went downhill from there. If I thought I was slightly disappointed up until now, I was completely let down as the morning went on. Now I'm no theology buff, but there were some serious holes in his preaching and applications. The sermon started off in one lane and rapidly changed course a number of times. I couldn't follow his reasoning and was getting more and more upset. I wanted to shout out, What kind of sermon is this buddy? Is it me or am I the only one who realizes it's Easter? Why come if you aren't going to celebrate?

Thankfully Asha was fussy and I had to take her out twice, which was my escape. Poor Carl endured it; he chose not to walk out. And I have to be fair that my expectations of sermons are quite high. I've had the chance to hear good sermons, which most often have come from my husband.

After church, dressed in our party garb, we walked home and took some pictures in the garden. Then we piled into the van and headed to Carl's professors home for lunch. I was very pleased to receive an invitation for Easter lunch (we actually received two!). A few days before I was wondering if we would be home alone over Easter, and for a brief moment, started to feel sorry for us. Well, we were one of many families and individuals over at Tim and Gertrud's. There were 19 of us all together and it was a lovely meal. Joel and Kezia had extra helpings of the potatoes and ham. My heart leaped for joy as I saw Gertrud putting gelatin eggs on the table because that's what we have at my family's Easter gathering; how sweet little reminders of home can be!

After lunch, we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. Joel and Kezia really enjoyed themselves because they now had even more candy and Asha had her first taste of chocolate! As I stood out in the lawn in the sunshine, I was feeling really blessed. The host family made sure that their guests felt right at home by extending a hand of hospitality and love.

I guess this Easter was unique. Some things I could have done without, some parts I really missed, and other aspects were quite enjoyable. I've never gone to a March Easter service in sandals nor have I ever done an Easter egg hunt outside with my kids. But I think more importantly, I have had more time (and less running around) to ponder what Easter really means and how I can come to a deeper understanding of God's love for us.
.