The aftermath of Passion week

We're back from the land of the ill. It was a rough visit, one we hope not to repeat any time soon. Somewhere in the middle of all that sick, Passion week happened... here and gone.

I hope you had a blessed Easter. We did, thanks to some wonderful friends who cleaned their house, dyed eggs, constructed cute baskets, cooked dinner, and invited our little family to celebrate with them. My contribution to the event: dressing everyone in other-than-pajamas at the same time.

My plans for Easter this year were grand: resurrection cake, an easter tree, dyed eggs, Seder supper on Saturday. None of it came together. I barely scraped almond butter on sandwiches.

I found my joy over Easter crumbling. Easter felt like a waste because I couldn't celebrate the way I wanted. Then I wasted the day by neglecting to worship.

I totally missed the point.

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord! How long?

Have pity on your servants!

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:12-14

Plans flop or change or go smoothly without producing what we expected. The wise recognize our finite number of days and make the most of the day given, whether it goes according to plan or sickness.

Darlin', you were never in control. You're just recognizing it today. ~ A wise friend

I am not yet wise. I have not yet numbered. I am not yet satisfied with a different plan.

Even today, I feel futility, not least when I look at the attempted Easter pictures {any tricks for getting a 2 and 3 year old to look at the camera and smile at the same time???}.

I reread the Psalm.     {Lord} Teach us to number...       {Lord} Have pity...        {Lord} Satisfy us...   

The psalmist doesn't have it all together either. That psalmist, Moses, the greatest leader Israel ever knew, the man who saw God's glory, who talked directly to God. He begs to be taught, to be pitied, to be satisfied.

Maybe I'm not the only one who loses sight and misses days, even weeks.

Steadfast love. Never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. Isn't that the answer? The Lord's love engulfs my small-minded heart, giving me a new day to celebrate Him.

 Like so many younger sisters, Afton lives in a gigantic shadow, a gigantic, gregarious shadow with large brown eyes and self-proclaimed Rapunzel hair. {Up until a couple months ago, Afton was still being confused for a boy.} But when she pulled on this dress, she became a princess. She twirled and leaped and kissed and 'thank you'd.' I could dress her in it everyday to see her eyes light up again.

Our first attempt at an Easter picture...

 I love small one's expression... Sis, what sort of smile is that??

Our second attempt, followed by a shrug and a 'good enough' from Momma...