From all outward appearances, my family has had a great week, if a little busy. Lots going on, lots of excitement with school programs and egg hunts, baseball games and practices, and time with friends. Yesterday was a busy, precious day filled with an egg hunt, volunteer work, and good laughs. A great day, right? Sprinkled all throughout my day -- even starting the night before -- I have been run over and overwhelmed by the mess and heartache of this world.
Why do the faithful fall away?
Why do mommies decide to quit being a mommy?
Why are some people so self-absorbed and selfish that they believe they can treat others so awfully?
Why do godly people suffer from illnesses that can't even be diagnosed and treated?
How is the young mother going to hold her family together while her alcoholic husband decides whether he loves his family or his addiction more?
And it goes on, and you have at least a dozen questions yourself -- the hows and whys of living in a sinful, fallen world. It frequently seems to be too much. But Levi came into the world yesterday. Levi, whose mommy and daddy have asked all of the 'why's and are still without answers to many, finally made his way into this world -- on Holy Thursday -- to remind us that God has hope for us all.
I'm not sure there has ever been an Easter that I needed to celebrate the resurrection as much as I do this week -- to remember the new beginning the Lord gave us all on that Sunday morning.
Welcome to our mess of a world, baby Levi. You're one of the most recent residents of heaven, so we will cling to you to remind us of the glory that is beyond this world. No pressure.
