Easter Hope in the Valley of the Shadow

Today I share why Easter gives me hope even in the darkest days of family life. I conclude with a post I wrote at 3AM on Easter Sunday five years ago, just one week after my son was diagnosed with Leukemia.

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I am created in the image of God and am a brother of the King Most High. Who cares whether my kid qualifies me for an honor roll bumper sticker? Share on X Easter is a reminder that life comes from death, that light comes after the darkness, and that God is actively at work even when nothing makes sense. Share on X

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As a dad who has never seen, but still believes, here’s how I feel blessed and hopeful as a parent:

Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is the validation of everything Jesus said and did:

It means that His teachings aren’t just sound advice, they are commands with a supernatural power behind them.
It means that wen Jesus says I can call God my Father, it’s true. He’s not just some distant authority figure, He’s my Daddy.
It means I’m truly forgiven of my sins. I don’t have to live a life of penance making up for past mistakes (including parenting mistakes). I can focus on walking in grace and humility, trying to do what’s right today instead of wallowing in the guilt of my failures from yesterday. I’ve trusted Jesus to save my soul, and I’m trusting Him to give me the grace for what He’s commanded me to do as a parent.

2. Easter is a reminder that life comes from death, that light comes after the darkness, and that God is actively at work even when nothing makes sense.

It means that even my worst parenting days are redeemable, and that what I (or others) meant for evil, God will turn for good.
It means that my children’s disabilities, shortcomings, and failures are just details in a greater story that God is writing. He is forming their character as well as mine, and He is making All Things New!
It means that my son getting cancer or my wife dying is not the last word. My hope is not in a particular outcome, it’s in a Person. And that Person conquered death and the grave and promised to do the same for me and all of those that love HIm.

3. Easter is a conviction that I am not the center of the universe, and neither are my children.

I don’t have to have it all figured out, because I’m not in charge of this planet. I’m not God and I don’t get to dictate everything in my life or my children’s life. That’s really freeing.
My kids get to mess up as well, because my pride and identity should not be wrapped up in them looking impressive. I am created in the image of God and am a brother of the King Most High. Who cares whether my kid qualifies me for an honor roll bumper sticker?
Since I’m not the center of the universe, or even the dictator in my own house, I get to REST like it depends on God. Because it does.