Dying Easter eggs is a family tradition I love. It is meaningful because it reminds me of new life, new beginnings, family togetherness, and a more beautiful, colorful world with Jesus Christ!

My family shared God’s love today at a community event put on by our little church. We have participated every year for the last fifteen years! We’ve varied our service opportunities from manning the prize table; to decorating and organizing the event, being in charge of games, writing a newspaper article about the event, and my favorite: listening to my husband and young adult sons playing Christian music inside of the town’s gazebo.

Today, because of my recent illness, I simply just participated as a loving parent, by visiting the stations of the cross with my daughter. My heart was touched while I observed my precious little girl tracing her hand onto red construction paper, carefully cutting it out, and writing her name on it. She then taped it to the wooden cross with the other children’s hands. Jesus died for all of the children who traced their little hands today; including my lovely, funny, wise, and creative daughter. As wonderful as she is, she is also a sinner. So are you. And so am I. But I don’t have to fear for my daughter’s future. Ever. Why? Because she knows Jesus. Because Jesus bled and died for her, she is going to Heaven some day.

After our Annual Easter in the Park, we met our dear family friends at a local restaurant. We laughed and ate and enjoyed the comfort and ease of conversation which flowed as it does with families who have known each other over a long period of time. Their family is also full of sinners. So is yours. So is mine. But thankfully we know Jesus. And one day, we will all live in Heaven, and we will break bread with Our Savior, and laugh over the things we once considered to be problems. For our problems will disappear… forever.

When we arrived home after the long day, we were tired… fatigued… and pretty much exhausted. It was just like it is every year. But it was time to dye Easter eggs. My eight-year-old daughter was so excited! And I was looking forward to it too, so I power napped for three minutes, and we went downstairs to mix the vibrant colors. We then called everyone to gather together at the kitchen island. Each family member brings something special to the egg decorating; making it uniquely fun, while creating beautifully dyed eggs. In addition, it never fails… each one of us always makes a mistake.

That’s how God looks at us too. He loves each one of us so much, and He thinks we are all rather awesome! After all, He created us! But we are each capable of making a ton of mistakes too. Those are called sins. Sin separates us from God. Why? Because God is perfect. He’s so perfect that sin can’t be near Him. It’s just not possible. So….

God came down in the form of man… Jesus Christ. Jesus took our dirty, disgusting sins, and allowed them to be nailed to himself on the cross, bearing the punishment for our sins, so we could live free! That means when we receive Jesus into our lives, we say yes to his plan, and we acknowledge and accept his sacrificial gift of forgiveness.

Mind blown! We walk in freeedom, without fear of punishment, simply by choosing to follow Jesus. It’s a win-win! I don’t know about you, but when I die, I want Jesus to see my red hand print on the cross with my name on it. I know it’s there, because I nailed it to the cross when I was five years old. Maybe you have not done that yet. The Silver Lining is that it’s not too late to give your life to Jesus today. Easter could not be a more perfect time to pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. So, I hope to see you in Heaven, where the colors are so incredibly amazing; we’ve never seen them on Earth, nor ever imagined they could even exist! Happy Easter!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16 NIV)

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:22-24)