Friday April 14 2017  GOOD FRIDAY WAKE UP CALL

Good Friday, the day we hold dear because it reminds us of the suffering that Jesus did on the cross for our sins.  It is the day He died and was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.  His body was broken, His blood was shed, and He who was without sin became the sin offering that we would have a bridge to the Holy Father and could spend eternity in His presence.  And we go about our business as usual.

We picked up our two grandsons about 10:00 a.m. and headed out to Amish country.  As we all know the Amish are staunch believers of God and the Bible.  Their society revolves around religion, church, and rules.  We drove all the way out to the Amish store so our grandsons could pick out freshly ground peanut butter and choose the flavor.  Peanut butter with swirls of chocolate would be my favorite if I could eat chocolate.  But I can’t so I always settle for honey roasted peanuts for my freshly ground delectable treat.  When we arrived the first thing I noticed was that there were no vehicles in the parking lot.  No cars; no horse and buggies.  And then it dawned on us.  IT IS GOOD FRIDAY!

What were we thinking?  This is the second time we’ve driven all the way out there (more than an hour away from out house) only to find the store closed for the day.  They have no telephone so one can never call to see if they are open.  Oh well, we had a good time in the car listening to Xander sing us songs.  Some, I even learned.  And…to be truthful, I sang songs to him as well.  Zach was engrossed in his book the entire time and was rather quiet.  The quiet part is rather new to us and I guess we must learn to get use to it as he has a veracious appetite for books.  I’m glad he does.

We had a delicious lunch at Subway, came home and worked on crafts.  And I want to point out that BOTH grandsons are quite creative (a grandmother speaking)!  Xander told me that I have the best craft room in the world.  If the amount of the “stuff” I have in the room makes for the “best” craft room, then he is probably right on.  I enjoy being able to encourage the creative side of who they are.  I too always loved to work with my hands in a myriad of crafts throughout my life. I neverever was great at any one craft but I sure had fun trying new things.  I suppose if photography can be considered a craft I did okay, but was never truly the master; though I sure had fun doing it.  And the best part was that I got paid for something I loved doing!

Now to focus my attention back to Good Friday; this is an important day in history.  And yet, so many in the world do not celebrate this event.  There are many who probably don’t even know why Christians celebrate this day.  That is ever sadder still.  We have discussed with the boys the importance of what this day means in regards to our eternity.  They will attend service with us this evening to share in this time of commemorating such an event.  They are young and impressionable and have experienced accepting Jesus into their hearts.  Do they understand every single detail; probably not.  But I do remember that at the age of five I was totally in love with Jesus and as I look back now I realize that I truly did have a relationship with God in my own child-like way.  And God has said that unless we become like little children we will not have a place in His kingdom.  Children have a deep, true, faith.   Never underestimate the sincerity of a young child’s love for God who is the creator of all; and never underestimate how important it is that young children be trained up in the way of the Lord so that when they are old they will not depart from their faith.

We will go back later for our peanut butter!  My hat is off to the Amish for closing all their businesses to commemorate what this day means for our forever.

WHAT THIS DAY MEANS IN THE HISTORY OF ETERNITY

Kathleen Martens

April 14, 2017

www.visionsofportry.com

Thank You Father for the gift of Your son.

Your only begotten.  Your unblemished one.

Who willingly gave His life for mine.

He broke the shackles of death and time.

Guiltless He suffered agony and pain

And died on Calvary’s tree.

He bridged the gap between God and man

As He opened the door to eternity.

No longer separated because of sin and shame

I am filled with hope, joy, and love.

Because of what happened so long ago

The doors of heaven have been opened above.

Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son.

Thank You Jesus for GIVING Your life.

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS SPECIAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE