Today Lauren got a late birthday present. She got a bike that attaches to her Daddy's bike so our family can go for bike rides together. Today Lauren got to fly down the hill on our street on her very own bike! Today I heard giggles come from my sweet daughter as she raced past me and my camera. Today I saw the sweetest smile on her face and I wondered what she was thinking. Clearly she was loving the feel of the wind in her face and seeing the houses flash by. I have a feeling that she tasted a bit of freedom like she has never experienced before. We have to help her with so much in life...almost everything, actually. But today she sat on her very own bike and flew! We have been saving for this bike and I am so thankful that Shawn's parents helped us reach the amount we needed to buy it. I can't wait for them to come visit so they can watch her enjoy their present. I think a family bike ride and picnic is in order this weekend! I promise to take pictures!
Happy 6th Birthday Lauren! You are a precious blessing to our family.
Good Friday...how often do we take time to think about Good Friday and what it represents? So many times we celebrate a day off from school, the beginning of spring, and fun with our families. But do we spend much time thinking about what Christ endured for us on this day? It was more horrific than anything we can imagine. I have been singing in the Easter Pageant at my church this year. I've watched the crucifixion many times and every single time I am startled as the hammer strikes the nail, tears fill my eyes as the man playing Jesus cries, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And I then have trouble singing the song that immediately follows. But this reenactment that I have watched over and over is NOTHING like the real thing. We can't even begin to grasp the horror of that day. I listened to a song today on a friend's blog. I have never heard it before and it was such a moving song, I've included it here. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to it. (Actually, if you don't the rest of this post won't make sense to you.) The song is entitled "Why?"
Yes, Jesus died for each of us. After living a sinless, perfect life, he was put to death for me and for you. He did this so we could be made righteous through his blood and gain eternal life. Jesus died for Anna Grace too. I've thought a lot about that this week. Anna Grace began life in harder than normal circumstances. She spent 16 months in an orphanage. Many details of her life we do not know.
Yet, she was protected until we could bring her home. Last Sunday she sat in the back of our van, waving a palm branch from church, singing "Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." My precious daughter, who began life in a country that does not have the same religious freedoms that we enjoy, was singing praises to God. And the tears flowed...and flowed! I looked at Shawn and said, "Oh, it is so much bigger than us giving Anna a mama and a daddy. We have given her the opportunity to know Jesus." I have thought it before but it really hit me big in that moment. We have brought her home and now she can grow up knowing Jesus and loving him. She won't live without hope, without peace, and without love. She will know the ONE who gives perfect hope, peace and love. Yes, it is SOOO much bigger than simply giving Anna Grace a mama and a daddy.
Have you ever thought about adoption in that way? As a christian family, if you were to adopt a child, you could be the one who introduces them to Jesus. You could play a part in them gaining a temporary, earthly home, but even more importantly, you could have a part in their eternal home. Think about it. Anna Grace is the reason Jesus died on the cross but there are thousands of orphans around the world today that He also died for. Who is going to introduce them to their Savior?
