happy easter

This morning, our family joined with people throughout the world in a common joy. We celebrated unity in the midst of different ethnicities, languages, economic status, ages, political parties, denominations, intelligence, and maturity. Together, we celebrated a living, redeeming, loving, gracious miracle. United, we remembered the greatest news the world has ever heard.

When Mr. Kenobi went to pick up Obi-1 & Obi-2 from Sunday School this morning, the teacher asked the boys to tell what they'd learned...

Teacher: Can you tell Daddy what you learned today?
Obi-1: about Jesus.
Teacher: What about Jesus?
Obi-1: Jesus loves me.
Teacher: Yes. What else? (prompting...) Jesus is... ?
Obi-1: Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!
Teacher (to Mr. Kenobi): Oh... that's true. We were just aiming for
"Jesus is alive." :)

When the boys got up this morning, there were "Happy Easter" wishes all around. We had special outfits just for today (a tradition passed on from my family, though unfortunately I'm finding boys aren't nearly as excited about new clothes!). After breakfast, we went to our new church. And together with the innumerable generations who have hoped, seen, heard, and believed, we rejoiced at the faithfulness of a living God.

Obi-1 has been asking all sorts of theological questions lately. Between the Seder and Easter, he's been immersed in liturgy that tells the rich history of our faith. Some parents may be reluctant to "indoctrinate" their children in their own beliefs. Other parents may fear or grow frustrated at their child's questions and doubts.

I love it that our 3-year-old already thinks carefully about what he hears and believes. I hope that the faith of our household will nourish their growing souls, and give them a safe place to seek and be found by an awesome God. It is my deepest prayer that someday they will have a personal, communal faith that is unique, yet shared with a community of people who've been transformed through a power outside themselves. I hope my sons will always find themselves humble to love all people, and bold to share the risen Lord.

So let it soak in, my dear boys! Let all that is true saturate you until you find it makes sense, and yet I hope it always confounds you. Let it build your character in tangible ways, and yet may God always be bigger than you can fathom. Let His grace overwhelm you, and may His glory motivate you in ways we cannot imagine.

Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!