Easter Baskets with a Twist

Inspired by Amanda at ohamanda.com's unEaster Baskets, we added another new tradition to our celebration of Easter this week.  We made the choice a few years ago that the main gift in Easter Baskets would always be about growing Bug & Basil's faith and remembering the true reason for the holiday.  So, it's usually a book or a new Bible as they grow.  This year, I loved the idea of using the baskets as part of our teaching of what Easter is about.

First, we collected rocks and talked about how sin hardens our hearts and keeps us from God.  Then, we labeled the rocks with some sins that we'd committed in about the last week and the kids put them back into their individual baskets.  We covered them with a red t-shirt and Bug quickly made the connection to Christ's blood which I thought was pretty cool.  We talked some more about what it meant that our sins were covered by Christ's blood.  We did all this just before bed and told the kids we'd see what their baskets held tomorrow.

They were SO excited to see their baskets this morning!  It was like Christmas morning.  When they came out to the kitchen they were greeted by three baskets.  We talked some more about why Jesus' basket had all their rocks and then dove into their baskets with glee :).  Bug was surprised to find out we'd filled their buckets because he thought Jesus might have done it - love the faith of a child!  I loved how it all made their Easter baskets much more meaningful.  

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”  1 Peter 2:24

Touchstone

Today I am thankful for a God who loves us so much that He's willing to just keep reminding me how much He loves me and that He will always provide.  Today I am also thankful that my kids got to see exactly what we mean when we tell them that God always provides.

The week started out a bit rough.  Dr. D's bike was stolen from our front yard.  Since it's his primary mode of transportation to school, it was felt in so many ways.  There was the feeling of vulnerability that comes with something being taken from our front yard and the frustration of someone making the choice to take something from someone else.  And quickly there was the reality that replacing the bike also meant replacing the many accessories that had been on the bike for keeping him safe on his daily commute.  As we started to add it up, the number could have quickly become overwhelming.  Instead, I chose to trust.  And very quickly, things fell in to place.

And when my son asked why we were taking Daddy to school on Wednesday morning, I reminded him what had happened to Daddy's bike and then told him that we trusted that God would provide.  Then I went to work and while I told a coworker the story of what had happened the evening before, she shared that her husband had a bike that he didn't ride anymore and they'd be happy to give to Dr. D.  A good tune up and he'll be riding to school again in no time.

We've been talking about touchstones in church recently -- holding on to and sharing those times in life that remind us again of God's faithfulness.  This week is definitely one of those for us.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds." 

Psalm 77:12 NIV