I gave my daughter a gift this Easter. While other kids were unwrapping chocolate bunnies and cramming marshmallow peeps into their mouths, my daughter was chewing on something different. Something that didn’t swallow as easily as chocolate or taste nearly as agreeable. This Easter I gave my daughter a taste of the “ugly, beautiful truth”—as the Pharisees and chief priests would describe it some 2000 years ago in Matthew’s gospel, the “last deception.”
Let me explain.
My laptop computer usually runs throughout the day and on display at the dining room table (alas, my kingdom for an office to call my own!). My blog’s “home page” sometimes serves as the screen saver, displaying the most recent post I’ve written. This past Friday was no exception. Curious child #4 (aka “Miss Amelia”) was interested in the previous writing “the exactly-why-we-need-Easter post”, especially the youtube video that includes scenes from The Passion of the Christ. You know where this is headed, don’t you?
Her curiosity led to a mouse click and then to her partial viewing of some of the graphic depiction of Christ’s crucifixion. Her sobbing and her “Make it stop!” was indication to me (currently in another location in the house) that something was terribly wrong. As I entered the dining room, I understood the reason behind that wrong—
the ugly, beautiful truth that was playing itself out on the fifteen-inch screen in front of her.
I stopped the video, cradled my daughter in my arms, and prayed for the right words to tell her. I suppose some parents would immediately try and soothe the ache by changing the subject, diverting attention elsewhere, or by shoving more promises of peeps and chocolate into the hands of their children so as to bring a measure of peace into the chaos. That’s not the way I roll, friends. Instead of trying to brush the truth under the rug, it’s always been my inclination to deal with the truth, however and whenever it comes. I’ve not always done it picture perfectly, but I’ve never found there to be much profit in pretending that truth doesn’t exist or that truth’s cause is better served by pushing it aside for another day.
Today is always a good day for truth whether it’s ugly or beautiful or a combination of both. Such was the case on this occasion. Thus, we spent some time together exploring my daughter’s questions, her tears, and her pain. Then we talked about Christ’s questions, his tears, and his pain. And when she asked me about the level of physical pain that Jesus felt and how she wished he didn’t have to “do it,” I told her the truth… the ugly, beautiful truth. Something along the lines of…
Yes, baby, they hurt Jesus badly. But more than the blood, more than the whips and the thorns or the crown that tore into his flesh, Jesus’ pain came from the fact that, in those moments, he was completely separated from his Father. And separation from the Father is far worse than any pain we will ever experience in our flesh. You see, Jesus had been with God since, well, forever. Never had they been apart. Even when Jesus came to us as a baby in Bethlehem, even then he had his Father’s eyes and attention. But on that day of the cross, Jesus was all alone, for in his flesh and on his body he carried the fullness of an entire world’s sin… past, present, and future. On that day, his Father looked away; Jesus knew it and that was far worse for him than the pain he was experiencing in his flesh. He did it for all of us, baby. For you and for me, for all of the sinners in this world. If he hadn’t, then we wouldn’t have a way to get home to God.
“I want to get home to God, mommy. I want everyone to get home to God.”
Then you, my daughter, must take your place in the story. Christ’s painful walk to the cross now belongs to you. You’ve been charged with the telling, even as I have been. You can no longer step away from the ugly, beautiful truth of the cross because truth has now been revealed to you, and you will spend the rest of your life working it out, asking some hard questions, and living the story that has now become a part of your reality, your history… past, present, and future.
“Yes, mommy, I think I understand.”
Yes, baby, I think that you do, and mommy will be praying for you as God begins to prepare your heart for the living out of his story.
The day after Jesus was crucified and subsequently laid in the tomb, fear was present amongst those who had the most to lose should Christ make good on his word and rise from the grave. While the disciples may have forgotten about Jesus’ promise of a third-day resurrection, the chief priests and the Pharisees had thought of little else since first hearing the proclamation. They were determined to make sure that nothing would further perpetuate the rumor—the lie—that Christ was, indeed, the promised Messiah. What they didn’t count on was the fact that the lie was, indeed, the truth. And truth, no matter how offensive it may seem at the time of its revealing, will not remain buried forever.
Truth tears off the grave clothes, shakes the foundation of the earth, and shatters the darkness with the marvelous light of God’s amazing grace and plan for his creation. Truth speaks louder than the silence that surrounds it, and truth cannot be contained within a tomb. Truth walks free from the tomb… back then, right now.
Perhaps the Pharisees were right when they said, “This last deception will be worse than the first.” Christ’s conquering of the grave has, indeed, escalated the exponential increase of the ugly, beautiful truth of God’s kingdom come. It swells and amplifies and enlarges with every passing encounter between his heart and ours. What began on Judean soil back “there and then” continues through to our “here and now.” To a little patch of eastern, North Carolina soil, where a little seven-year-old girl and an almost forty-four-year-old woman bow to receive some kingdom seed for a future harvest.
The ugly, beautiful truth of Easter.
The final, truth of the kingdom that is stronger now than it has ever been.
My ticket home; yours as well. Thus, I pray…
peace for the journey,
PS: I’m likely to be MIA this week in blog land. Kids are on spring break; there’s a lot of fun to be had that I don’t want to miss. Love you all, and just in case I haven’t told you lately, thank you for spending some of your day with me. You are why I am here at my cyber address. Shalom.
Copyright © April 2010 – Elaine Olsen
Wonderful post Elaine!!! I know that you will make sure that your beautiful little girl will always know the truth about her heavenly father! What a wonderful answer you gave her!! Made me cry!
Enjoy your week with your gang!!!
"Today is always a good day for truth … ".
Always!
God bless little Amelia who, unlike so many, "gets it"! And no wonder … with a telling as sweet as her mama's, the truth comes into clear view.
Enjoy your week of mommery.
Kathleen
A very good "Word", Elaine. Enjoy your spring break and make lots of memories… 🙂
Jennifer
wow … what an incredible story! You have such a sweet little girl. Part of me is thinking, "oh I wish such a sweet thing didn't see those images … I wish she didn't have to know about that!" But then I realize that it's God's greatest gift to her and to all of us. Just as you said – it's ugly, beautiful, and the TRUTH!!!
This is timely Elaine! After Easter services yesterday, and all the eggs, etc., Our kids had their kids, the newest one the 5 yr. old who just accepted Jesus as his Saviour and as a family they watched The Passion movie. The 9 yr.old daughter was in tears through most of it. We also knew it was hard, but… the truth always wins. They have a better idea of what Jesus did for them now. It gave way to some important discussions here too.
Lots about life is not pretty, and neither was calvary.
Their hearts are young and tender, but they pretty much 'get it'.
Have a good week!
Sonja
I was so moved by your post today Elaine! I believe God Himself was moved when He witnessed your communication on His behalf with your little one! You're such a good mommy!
Love the picture of your family! What a blessing! And I hope you have a great week with your kids on spring break!
Love you my friend!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Your daughter is blessed to have this understanding so young.
So very powerful… Thank You LORD!
Powerful sharing of TRUTH with your baby girl.
Enjoy your time off with your family. I just had that last week when our daughter was on Spring break and hubby on a weeks vac. Nothing like family time in the LORD! Enjoy yours!
Love and peace!
Sounds like that sweet heart is headed straight for Jesus! Hallelujah!! Bless her little sweet self.
Leah
I envision Amelia in the years to come, touching many lives as she shares the ugly, beautiful truth…just like her momma.
Beautiful picture of your family. Y'all clean up good! 😉
Ten more days…
Oh, sweet friend! Bless that baby's heart. My eyes were full of tears for her and with her. Please give her a hug for me.
It's a hard moment to swallow when we actually "get it"–the ugly, beautiful truth of Easter as you so perfectly put it. Thank you for sharing this time with us.
Y'all have a great spring break! Today is our last day! Talk to you soon!
Hugs!
Susan
And, I LOVE the family picture!! Y'all are so cute!! Need one for the fridge!
Elaine…
The Lord gave you the words to speak to your sweet girl. He had a plan for that moment… and His truth was beautifully spoken to your daughter! Her life is forever changed…
Elaine,
What a wonderful mother you are to not cover up with chocolate and the worlds way of celebrating Easter with eggs and baskets. Instead, you shared Jesus with your sweet daughter and brought encouragement to those of us that stop in for where God has you in this moment.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Enjoy every sweet and purposeful second of spring break!
Again an awesome post! Enjoy your beautiful children:))
LOVE THIS POST! I HAVE SO BEEN THERE. Love the way you handled it.
Love the pictures! Hope you had a beautiful Easter!
Enjoy the kids this week!
Elaine,
What a beautiful, ugly truth post!
I wish more people would see His death the way your daughter did. As they say in the movies, "We can't handle the truth" very well. May we never forget what Jesus did for us. And yes, separation from Him is by far worse than anything. Enjoy your time with your family this week.
Blessings,
Teresa
I am blessed to be here today! The "ugly, beautiful truth" you shared with your daughter also cut right into my heart. Thank you for always being an open, honest woman of God! I very much appreciate that in you, and I know your family does as well, and they will continue to do so as time goes on.
God is truth, and He is in truth! That is much for me to chew on today, as I grapple with a particular something I know. It is nothing sinful at all, just a situation I am privy to that may hurt someone else. Need your prayers here. Thanks.
God bless your sweet Amelia! She is a precious lamb.
Love,
Andrea
Thanks for sharing the ugly, beautiful truth Elaine. Your family is bright and beautiful thanks to Jesus. Have a fun time during the break with your children. Blessings, B
Both of my girls were hugely impacted when they were very young by watching the Passion Plays that our church presented — God used them to draw both of them to faith. And even though it's an ugly, beautiful truth, how precious that God used it in your little girl's life, too…
Enjoy spring break with your family, Elaine!
Truth is always good…no matter how ugly. God is preparing your daughter for her place and you were a wonderful mom. Have a great spring break with lots of fun and memories.
Wow! What an opportunity!! Beautiful post Elaine! Have a wonderful spring break with your family!! 🙂
amen! all year we've been reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible to my 3 yr. old. we read about all the wonderful things Jesus said and did. when i got to the story of his death of the cross, i hesitated for a moment. i wanted to hold on to her innocence. i thought she wouldn't understand why they would do that to the Jesus we love. but like you, i wanted her to know the Truth. and she got it! she knows Jesus loves us so much that he wore a "hurting crown" (as she says) and that He had to die on that awful cross in order to rescue us. it's the most important ugly, beautiful truth she could ever know.
What a blessing this was to read..although it made me very ashamed of how I handled some things with my children when they were young…
Have a wonderful spring break….
Nice job, Mom.
There is no easy, packaged way to disguise the truth and ugliness of the beautiful cross. But you? You've done it very well. I ought to take notes!!!
Oh so true! And how I wish my heart were as sensitive as your precious girl's.
Hope you have a great Spring Break, friend.
Elaine,
What a ugly, but beautiful truth we share as the children of the King. I don't know how I could have possibly explained to my four year old about the ugly truth of our Saviour but I thank God for His grace when you let your little girl see the truth of the Cross as it really is. I hope my time will come to have my ugly, beautiful truth conversations with my daughter someday. Great post…was such a blessing to read!
Hugs and blessings,
Gladwell
So young but in this world, the ugly truth has to be addressed earlier. I can only imagine how her heart has grown for Him because of that. It was His timing Elaine. Isn't it beautiful how He can take something so ugly, so painful, and make it tearfully beautiful..usable…for Him. Praise His Holy name!
Love you!
Believing Him~Pamela
No sense in candy-coating the truth!
it's so hard when they they begin to understand the world's ugly side…may her heart be protected and her mind continue to be wrapped around Christ's truth
Oh Elaine…today the enemies lies have consumed my thoughts and I've been held prisoner to emotion. Thank you for this post. Thank you for the reminder that "Today is always a good day for truth."
I will know the truth and The Truth will set me free,
Love ya friend,
Joy