Resurection Rolls

Ok- this is not what I put in my box, but this is such a great idea I thought I would pass it along to everyone. If you want to see what was in the box today look at the previous entry, Sleep. But for a cool activity this weekend, try this. Happy Easter! Enjoy!

http://shinefmafternoons.blogspot.com/2010/03/resurrection-rolls-easy-way-to-tell.html

Sleep

I think one of the worst feelings in the world, is when you keep nodding off at a time when you really should be awake. It's embarrassing at the movies, or a concert or lecture. It's dangerous when behind the wheel of a car. One of my most cringe-worthy moments was falling asleep on a date, (think long day and boring episode of Saturday Night Live). I awoke the next morning on my couch to find my date had sweetly put a blanket on me and locked the door on the way out. Needless to say it wasn't a lasting relationship. I can also remember trying desperately to stay awake as a friend and I were driving back, several hours, after going to a concert. Even the cold air rushing in through my open window didn't help keep my eyes open.And what I felt most terrible about as I struggled to keep up the conversation, was that I was letting her down. She was driving, all I had to do was stay awake until we got home sometime the next morning. An easy job at which I was a total failure.

So I have to admit it was with a certain amount of empathy that I brought a warm, soft, snugly blanket in my box today. Empathy for the disciples who were only asked to stay awake and pray with Jesus and yet who, like me, found the spirit willing but the flesh so very weak. Maybe it was the dinner...the bread, the wine, the clean feet, but one by one the disciples drifted off to dreamland, while Jesus struggled with the role he was born to play. It is here, in this moment, that we see how little they understand about the man they follow. Like foolish students, unaware that the final exam is about to take place, they argue over who has the best grades and then fall asleep instead of studying. In Mark 14: 32-42 we are told he wakes them several times, pleading with them to stay awake and pray, yet none of them do.

There are so many things Jesus asks of us that we may struggle to do. Perhaps this Easter, we should make a commitment  to pray, by ourselves, with our children, and as a family. Jesus wants us to share in his journey,  to take up his cross, to join him in prayer. Can we stay awake?

Butterflies

Around my house we love butterflies and have several gardens designed to attract them into our yard. So last year when my mother gave one of us a butterfly pavilion for Christmas we were all excited. It is a large pop-up tent, that hangs in the house where we can watch caterpillars hatch from eggs, eat and grow and form chrysalis and then turn into beautiful butterflies. And this is what I brought in my box today. A home for butterflies, a wonderful sign of life coming out of something that looks like death.

Last week we talked about Mary and Martha and so it was only fitting that this week we share the story of their brother Lazarus. We don't know that much about Lazarus. He is really a bit player in the Gospels, that is until his death. But the story of Lazarus is wonderful and allows us to better understand the man that Jesus is as he travels through his final days on earth. For, it is in the story of Lazarus that see that Jesus, like us, has friends and companions whom he truly loves. Jesus witnesses the grief of the Mary and Martha over the death of their brother and is “greatly disturbed”. (John 11:33) He is again described as being “greatly disturbed” when he came to the tomb. (John 11:38) And it was in this emotional state that he called “Lazarus, come out”! (John 11:43)

When we look at what it means to be human, the ability to emote, to feel, is critical. The sharing of emotions as we laugh together or weep together is what binds us to one another. And so it seems fitting that it is in his final days that Jesus allows his emotions to show. He aches for the loss of his friend and the pain of Mary and Martha. The death of Lazarus allows him to experience the very human pain of loss. And it is seemingly out of this human pain, that he provides one more sign of his divinity by calling Lazarus back to life.

Sometimes we don't want to share our emotions with our children. But allowing them to see us in grief and pain, as well as when happy, shows them both have a place in our lives. And it allows us to remember that our Lord doesn't cause the pain and loss that enters our lives, but grieves with us, and calls us back to life.

Dirty Laundry

In our household we embrace the concept of sharing the wealth, which means since we all get to share in the tasks it takes to keep us from wallowing in stacks of dirty dishes and piles of unwashed laundry. Everyone is responsible for keeping his or her room reasonably neat, and the boys alternate between taking responsibility for being in charge of the trash, the dishes or the laundry. Any of the three can be easier or harder depending on our week (pizza for dinner means less dishes, more trash) and in any given week the boys may do a better or worse job of keeping on top of their tasks. What stays constant is that no matter what job is assigned, each of my three sons firmly believes that he is doing the lion's share of the work, while his brothers are simply taking it easy. It was while listening to a dispute along these lines this morning that I decided to fill my box with dirty laundry.

The children loved it when I began pulling items out of my box today. A smelly soccer jersey. Dirty socks. Flannel pajama bottoms. Each item was met with more laughter. But I really wanted to share that arguments between siblings over who is doing more work have gone on forever. In Luke we read about Mary and Martha, sisters who welcomed Jesus into their home. While Martha was busy with the many tasks one has when entertaining guests, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen. Martha complained that she was left doing all the work, and Jesus gently told her that Mary had chosen the better part.

This story has been interpreted in many ways, and is sometimes used when debating which is better, working  on behalf of Christ, or spending time in study and prayer. What I reminded the children today, is that Christ calls us to both roles. Jesus quite clearly called to minister to our neighbor, and make sure that others have clothes and food. God needs us to wash the dirty laundry. But that can't be all we do. We are also called to take time to listen for the voice of God, to read and study and spend time in prayer allow God to guide us in our ministry to others.

Spring is a busy time. In between signing up for summer camps, and shuttling to soccer, tennis or ballet, are you taking time to pause, to breathe, to pray, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen?