Happy Easter

I love Easter.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  I sometimes think that my children do not believe that.  Indeed, they have often made of a point of letting me know that they have be deprived in their childhood because I am crazy.  You see, I discovered a long time ago that I would not win the battle to make Christmas more spiritual.  I had children and they focus on the presents!  Don't get me wrong, I try to bring about traditions during the season that put Christ first.  Sometimes, I think I am even successful, but in the back of their minds, the presents are still coming.
So, I made a decision many years ago when my oldest child was born, that we would not celebrate Easter with bunnies and baskets.  We would make that our most spiritual holiday of the year.  We would focus out thoughts on Christ and His sacrifice for us.  We would remember the resurrection and the glorious promise that He Lives!
Don't feel too bad for my children.  We color eggs the weekend before easter, and there is always a bowl of candy on the dining room table.  Each child gets a new dress or a suit for Sunday.  We talk about how getting new clothes, symbolizes putting aside the old person and committing to be a new person in Christ.  We talk about the meaning of obedience.  We talk about His great love for us and the power of the atonement.  We talk about how he died on the cross for us and of His life and teachings.  We talk of our testimonies and our love.
Most of all, we talk about the fact that He lives!

Luke:5-6
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen.

This is one of my favorite easter songs.  I have sang it several times and love the meaning of the words.  I can never sing it without reflecting on our Heavenly Father and His great love of us.  I think of how difficult it must have been to watch the Savior suffer.   I think about how much He must love us and be mindful of our needs, both here and throughout eternity.
I pray that the words will touch your heart and bring you comfort and peace as you spend some time today reflecting on the true meaning of Easter.

The Sacrifice
by Wanda Lindstrom

Abraham's life had been shattered;
Now his hopes for the future were gone
'Cause he could not conceive, and he could not believe,
God would ask for the life of his son.
The obedient Abraham trembled
As he tried to tell Isaac his task.
Then his heart finally broke when his faithful son spoke,
"Dear father, I'll do what you ask."

Father, where is thy mercy?
Instead of my son, take me!
This Father is crying
When I think of him dying,
But I'll do it now for thee.

As he raised up the knife
and looked down at his son,
Pure sorrow filled up in his heart.
To shed the pure blood of this innocent one
Was tearing his soul apart.
Beyond the thin veil in a Heavenly place
The anguish and heartache were felt.
While Abraham cried as he sadly asked why
And poured out his heart as he knelt.

Father, where is thy mercy?

Instead of my son, take me!

This Father is crying 

When I think of him dying,

But I'll do it now for thee.

"Stop!"  came the answer from heaven.

"I've seen what I needed to see.

The test is now done;  do not slay your own son.

Now I know you'd keep nothing from me.

I, too, am a father with love for my son.

And mine is a similar task.

And my heart also broke when my faithful son spoke,

'Dear Father, I'll do what you ask.'

And He'll die for the cause of mercy

In order for men to be free!

And this father is crying when I think of Him dying,

But I'll do it, my child, for thee.

This Father is crying when I think of Him dying,

But I'll do it, my children, for thee.