Monday, March 02, 2009

New birth day party!

Today’s Reading: John 20:18 (NIV)

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her.

Good morning!

My mother and I attended a birthday party on Saturday for our granddaughter and great-granddaughter Emily Maria, who is celebrating her fifth year milestone. Do you remember what it was like to turn five years old? We partied at Monkey’s Joe’s, which I would simply categorize as bounce heaven for children of all ages! Some of the bouncing bubbles made me so dizzy watching that I had to look away. Emily and Rory came down a slide together and the velocity had them going so fast that when they reached the end of the slide, they collided and left bright pink goose-eggs on each other’s foreheads. Daddy got it all on film. Why do children love to bounce and go fast? Of course, as the excitement level rose, so did the noise level on the play ground. Personally, I was especially grateful for the soundproof party room. It made for a nice retreat from the chaos occurring just beyond the window.

Princess Emily sat perched in the large party chair, as her friends and family gathered round the picnic tables below. She got to meet Monkey Joe in person, who gave her a high-five and a new yellow Monkey Joe’s t-shirt! We ate birthday cake and drank apple juice, while enjoying our party bag full of trinkets. Emily enjoyed her presents – everything from clothes to My Little Pony, to an oversized Easter bunny for her room! The delight and pure joy captured on Emily’s face pretty much said it all. She was ecstatic in this moment!

Mary was celebrating a brand new birth day too. She had seen the Lord and His physical presence in her life had simply overwhelmed her! What Mary could have only hoped for in her wildest dreams had just come true. And just like the perfect birthday present, Mary saw her Lord in the garden, alive and well! He is alive! She ran, bouncing down the sidewalk into the city. Breathless and shaking, she found the disciples and shouted, “I have seen the Lord!” And she began to tell them what she knew to be true.

Now this is one party I do not intend to miss. Can you imagine how perfectly wonderful it will be when we hear the trumpets sound and look up to see Jesus returning on the clouds for you and me? What an amazing new birth day party this will be! He is coming back soon, and this is one eternal celebration we will never ever forget.

And I thought turning five was fun!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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