Joy in Service- Easter thoughts

Recently a friend from church who I'll call Mary, lost her best friend, her father. Feeling a desire to support her and show her we love her, we asked the children at church to make cards for Mary. They traced their handprints, drew pictures, and wrote simple uplifting words of kindness. I took Caroline, Grace, and Wesley with me to deliver the cards along with some spring tulips. As we drove to Mary's house, the girls talked about how they worked on their cards with their friends at church and recalled this woman's name and circumstance. When I brought a dish to Mary's father's memorial service, I asked Mary if she got the cards and flowers. She said she'll save them forever, and went on to recite some of the sweet messages from the children. She said it was so touching and meant so much to her. Isn't it wonderful that service doesn't have an age requirement? We're all on this earth together to help one another know the Lord's love. All one has to do is look into the eyes of a newborn to see that heaven is near.

As I think of service, I am so thankful for the countless examples of service in my and Wayne's heritage, in our present family, and among our friends and loved ones.  Our family has found joy and gratitude in giving and receiving such kindness.  When asked to share a time when someone has shown kindness to them, this is what our children shared.  Christina remembers when she started going to her new school that a girl befriended her. Thomas remembers when his friend Michael gave him 50 cents to get ice-cream at school.  Grace said that today her friend, Josh helped her clean out the candy in her jacket pocket.  Caroline said that her Sunbeam teacher, Sister B taught her about Jesus.  All of our children acknowledged in their own way the gift of Christ's atonement.

This Easter, as we celebrate the blessing of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, may we find ways to show our gratitude by forgetting ourselves in His service. This world could use all of the joy that service brings, and the realization that this joy is nothing less than a measure of the Lord's healing love.

Happy Easter!