Easter Header

We've been "enjoying" the Easter Season around here... we are currently "celebrating" Lent with our kids as we try to impress on them the magnitude of Christ's incredible sacrifice for us.  Such an odd way to put it, CELEBRATING LENT.  Not really a time of celebration, more of a time of melancholy reflection and a time of forcing ourselves to sacrifice.  So insignificant in light of what HE did for us, but a small glimmer, I guess.  Very small.  I need these reminders of how unworthy I am, and who I am in Him.  He has redeemed me.  It has been so cool watching our kids "get it" more and more each year, the older they get.  Love that.

I guess everyone is well aware by now that my parents live in Israel for about half the year.  The scene above is what they see each morning as they walk out of their apartment door.  An empty tomb.  Christ's empty tomb.  Incredible.  They give tours there, and serve communion to hundreds of people each day.  Right.  Outside.  This.  Empty.  Tomb. 

Aside from the obvious part of why this verse is so cool (Duh, "He is Risen"), I just LOVE the last 3 words.  "As He said".  I love the God who keeps His promises.  I love that He keeps His promises to ME.  Unworthy me. 

The Struggle

No pictures.  If you are a parent, you will be forgiving by the time I get to the end of this. 

So, true story:

My Princess (We'll call her Princess A) spent some time with a friend (who we will call Princess B).  With me?  All was going well, until Princess B decided it would be REALLY cool to be super mean to Princess A, seeing how Princess B was holding court with Princesses C, D, E, F, G, and H.  Of course, Princess A, tenderhearted lass that she is, was heart broken.  She tried everything she could think of to get Princess B to be nice.  Princess C did as well.  Princess E even said, "Why can't we ALL just be friends?!?!?!".  Finally, the Queen (um, that would be ME.  My blog.) noticed it was time to head for greener pastures (um, our house).  Upon travelling to the homeland, the Queen noticed tears in her rear-view mirror.  The sad story spilled out.  Seeing this as a Teachable Moment, the Queen graciously directed her daughter towards kind thoughts, forgiveness, and love.  Yet inside, the Queen's heart was slowly rotating down a deep, dark tunnel of Unforgiveness. 

I hate that story.  I mean, Carly watched the Chipmunk Movie and was over it.  Not so, for her mother.  As a parent, you want to protect your child from Mean Girls.  You want them to NEVER be the Mean Girl, and if you are a McGregor?  Then you kindly share the consequences with them if you ever find out that THEY are the Mean Girl.  So, by 10pm, Ryan and I had looked at real estate in Oregon and our house is on the market.  Ok, kidding.  Ryan told me I was being irrational.  Plus, he had just installed a new garbage disposal for me and figured we have AT LEAST 3 years on that, so "can't we stay here until then???". 

There's a small amount of history with Princess B.  This isn't the first time we've seen this behavior.  And to say that we are tired of it, tired of exposing OUR Princess to such meanness, is an understatement.  So we prayed about it.  You know, asked God for direction.  A clear understanding of how we should handle what has become a perpetual problem.  How to protect Carly's innocence (Princess B is WAY more "mature" than any 8 year old I've even seen). Even asked him to make us completely aware if Carly is ever The One being mean.  I feel asleep last night dreaming of the Oregon Coast.

And was promptly awakened by a horrible nightmare.  So horrible, I can't even say it.  But you know what I did hear?  God saying, "I love Princess B just as much as I love Carly". 

I hate this story.

Then I started arguing:
"Um, no you don't"
"Yes, I do"
"Nope.  You don't"
"Yes, I do"
"Can't possibly.  Carly loves you.  B doesn't even KNOW you"
"I know her.  I love them both."
"You can't"
"Yes, I can"
"No, you can't."
"Yes, I can."
(I will promise you, this went on for a good 1/2 hour... then came...)
"This morning when Carly headed down the aisle to take communion and you whispered in her ear, "He did this for you"?  You SHOULD have said, "He did this for you AND Princess B". 

I guess there wasn't anything else to say after that. 

I was up a little longer asking for forgiveness.  I hate doing that, especially when it involves a bratty, selfish girl.  I hate it when I'M the bratty, selfish girl.  Thankfully, He is forgiving.  Thankfully, when He says "Yes I can", He means it. 

So, this morning?  First "Prayer Request" out of Carly's mouth during devotions?  "Princess B".  With a little sheepish grin.