“let the beloved of the Lord rest in him… between his shoulders.” deut 33:12
I just finished dyeing Easter eggs with Eric and the boys yesterday when I snapped this photo.
I never dyed Easter eggs when I was growing up.
But, two years ago on my journey of finding my Spritual Whitespace, I began a new tradition with my husband and the boys: dyeing Easter Eggs.
Dyeing eggs might appear as a small, common tradition that everyone does.
But, in my heart, it’s not that way at all. Easter tends to be busy time with big, overarching messages we want to imprint on our kids.
But, as I journey with Jesus and learn that just being present and enjoying time with Jesus is soul-feeding — I realize that some of the most simple things give me opportunity to just enjoy and be present with my children. And my husband.
I want them to experience the message of Easter — that God’s love is real and it feeds our soul — by the way we spend our time together.
It’s almost like — the smaller things get pushed to the side — and yet, isn’t it often the small, sweet moments we most treasure when we think fondly of being with someone we love — or when we feel most loved?
I cherish this simple egg coloring time. It’s creating memories of being the beloved for Josh and Caleb — and my husband Eric. For now, I like it just the four of us. But one day later, when they’re grown up, I hope they’ll bring their friends and hopefully one day, their girlfriends. And it’ll be a relaxing spiritual whitespace for everyone to see each other’s one words, artistic expressions .. and just have fun.
Dyeing eggs slows us down to enjoy each other’s company, do some fun art & color — while eating Robin Eggs!
“Beloved” and “rest” are words on my heart this Easter… the one-words I’m asking Jesus to bring to life in me this year. They’ve become my one-word prayer and a special doorway into my heart, where Jesus is bringing new life in me.
This Easter day, I know Jesus is whispering His words to you… as Easter in you begins.
May you savor the words He’s whispering to you this weekend.
Happy, soulful Easter to you, sweet kindreds!
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If you were here, I’d give you a few Easter eggs to color and decorate. I wonder what words and beauty would emerge from your heart and hands — as we celebrate God’s Easter in you and me?
Are there simple things you like to enjoy during Easter?
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9 Comments
Yes I know 3 things I can do this Easter: (1) Spend time with Jesus, (2) go to church and (3) and if I could spend time with you Bonnie my kindred spirit coloring Easter Eggs and talking about our risen Jesus or what’s ever on our hearts. May the blessings of Easter bring your whitespace joy, peace, love and rest my friend.
The words Jesus is whispering to me this Easter are “New beginnings” . Some of the new beginnings in my life are beautiful and some are hard. But Jesus is with me on this journey.
Hi Bonnie,
Happy Easter to you and your family. Thank-you for sharing the special time that you spent with your family. The tradition of egg dyeing has always been a special one that we do with our kids that we look forward to. I’m sure it would of been a lot of fun to be there with you. If I would of been my word be peaceful.
Blessings to you,
Penny
These are the words emerging for me this year, from Matt 11 from the Message..Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Thanks for your book and your writing, it’s breathtaking.
My eggs say “Peace, Rest and Trust.” These are the words spoken to my heart as I read your precious writing today. Thank you for letting God use you to speak to my heart. May you be blessed with more “words.”
Thanks, Bonnie. I’m thanking God yet again for new life this Spring season. I like your egg-dying idea, and I look forward to trying that next year. Sweet and savory blessings to you and yours in Christ. ☺
This Easter weekend was sweet for me as well. There were some bumps but overall it was joyful. Time with my family out of town was fun, calm and enjoyable. Time spent back at home with friends was filled with smiles and laughter as well. We had our in skin friends painting party where we walked out letting our imperfections show and enjoy the time past them. We even put the wrong verse on the painting by mistake but it is ok, I believe that is part of the process and hanging something that isn’t perfect. It makes me smile for sure.
We spent time where we dyed eggs and hunted them (hunting plastic and real eggs – do not forget to count the real ones 🙂 ). I found myself hearing a lot of laughter this weekend. What a sweet ring there is to laughter. I do not have to do it all, sometimes I can join in with others. In joining in I found peace and rest. It was sweet whisper to me. this Easter brought many gifts and showed a different way of life. As the sole parent it is not ALL up to me to make it right and perfect. There is NO perfect, just perfect peace in Him. Finding the peace allows for laughter to flow and life to happen and that is enough. God fills in the rest.
Thanks for sharing your sweet story and allowing us a place to share ours.
To many more friend!!!!
Our two-year old granddaughter isn’t quite ready for egg-dyeing, so her daddy (an artist) took on the project while our little one delighted in scattering Easter stickers on a sheet of paper. You’re right, Bonnie. The tradition does offer an opportunity for togetherness, chit-chat, and laughter–great stress-relievers! Easter afternoon our daughter-in-law hid the eggs, plus some candy-filled plastic ones, for E. to find. We enjoyed watching her find the egg-treasures as much as she did hunting. Then more family and friends joined us for dinner. You’re right: God’s love does indeed feed our souls–even as we spend time enjoying and loving one another.
I grew up in a Christian home and we dyed eggs every year. I wanted to “make sure” my kids got the real message – but we still dyed eggs. Sometimes I question my parenting. Your post was refreshing and encouraging….” But as I journey with Jesus and learn that just being present and enjoying time with Jesus is soul-feeding — I realize that some of the most simple things give me opportunity to just enjoy and be present with my children. And my husband.
I want them to experience the message of Easter — that God’s love is real and it feeds our soul — by the way we spend our time together.”
Spent time w/ our eldest in SF – at Reality Sf this past Sunday – and enjoyed our time together, for the glory of God, I can only trust and pray. Thanks, Bonnie (eldest, also named Bonnie (:)