Easter - "He Got Out!"

This marks the 3rd year we have spent Easter weekend in Charlotte, NC at the home of Jeff's Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Bob. (It's special to me since 3 years ago on Easter weekend, I went to "meet the family" before we'd be engaged 2 months later). We joined Jeff's parents and brother and enjoyed celebrating our risen Lord by resting, eating and eating some more. Some highlights include sleeping until 9:00, having a "light" breakfast - (watch out Cracker Barrel!) watching Sherlock Holmes (half of us stayed awake), dinner family style at Maggiano's, one of the best Italian Restaurants we've been too. Needed to run a marathon afterwards though! But the best part of the whole weekend came on Sunday morning during the "children's sermon" time. All the children were asked to come up to the front and have a few minutes with the pastor. It's a beautiful church with no less than 1000 people in attendance. Sun shining through the stained glass windows and the sound of the handbells in recent memory. He asks the children what today is...all in unison "it's Easter!" He proceeds with a question along the lines of "What happened to Jesus today?"... and in the most innocent sincere and truth-filled voice of an unseen boy, he proclaims, "He got out!!". The crowd all smiled in joy and in encouragement that one, Yes! He got out so we might be redeemed for our sin and Yes! Even a boy can understand what the Savior of the world has done for him. "Out of the mouths of babes..." After joy-filled applause the pastor said He could say "amen" and send us all home. That's the Easter message! Oh,, that we would ponder and appreciate and worship the Lord for the empty tomb representing HOPE that this is not all there is to this life! The best is yet to come! Oh that we'd be faithful to Him for His Faithfulness to us! Thanks for a great weekend!