About six years ago I first shared a very similar version of this stitchery for Easter, and I've often wanted to remake it in softer colours. That's just what I did yesterday as we rested for sabbath and watched some good teaching from the couch.
If there's one thing I'm learning about home isolation its that 'things get done'.
And you know, I'm a real homebody anyhow and rarely ever socialise other than to catch up with Blossom and the girls (before social distancing), but even having the regular morning trips out for fresh fruit and veg curtailed to 'only when absolutely necessary' or spending two mornings a week with Bloss at her house or mine, has opened up more time to do things at home than I can ever remember.
I also find things are being done slower...the rush is gone, the need to complete in order to move on has ebbed away.
And when I stitch, especially with regards to my faith in Christ, I stop more often just to ponder the fullness of each word. And there's a deeper richness being drawn forth from that pondering of His Word.
Yesterday my mind flooded with gratitude as I considered all Jesus did to draw us, me and you, back into right relationship with His Father.
As Creator of all that was made He left the majesty and glory of His throne in heaven behind -
"All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."
(John 1:3)
- the omnipotent GOD, humbling Himself to be born flesh in the womb of a woman, born a helpless infant dependant on earthly parents to attend His needs.
"(He)... emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
(Philippians 2:7)
I get concerned that too often we forget this, or we have grown so accustomed to the Easter story that the weight of what Christ did is no longer felt deeply and profoundly enough amidst the chocolate and bunnies so many parents and grandparents use in the way of celebrating this eternity-changing sacrificial choice amongst children and each other.
I don't do chocolate eggs or bunnies. I used to, but then I stopped.
Finally, God got through to me...the chocolate, the bunnies - they are pagan festivals with no bearing on what a Christ-centred Easter is all about.
I looked at Easter eggs last year and longed for them...the chocolate, the beauty of the glittery wrapping, oh they were so eye catching and my mouth watered. But then that still small voice spoke clearly across my thoughts -
"It's only chocolate, Jennifer, you can buy chocolate any day of the year...there is nothing special about it being in the shape of an egg."
And He went on to expand more about my application of Easter and how it must change.
Wow, and as my Pop used to say, "the penny dropped". I got it. I really did.
I honestly believe we do a disservice to Jesus when we lead children up the garden path of easter-bunny make believe, and it's been a weight lifted from my heart to step away from these things (just as Blossom has too).
Jesus - I want Him every day, all day, every moment - but I have to work at that. I have to seek His ways above my ways, His ways above the world's ways (and customs), His ways in drawing my desires out of the world and into heaven.
And I want that, I want to let go more and more of the world and grow more and more of Christ's character in me instead. Chocolate? I can get that any time. No effort involved.
Use the link below to download this pattern, with my love.
God bless you abundantly and may we all seek a deeper walk with Jesus in the days ahead, may we fully acknowledge what happened that Friday afternoon on a rugged and torturous cross...
"And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
(Philippians 2:8)
..and then celebrate the rolling away of that stone, and the Light of the World which through His glorious resurrection still lives today.
"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!"
(Luke 24:6)
Loving hugs,
