Easter Week {Day 8}

The Day of Triumph!

What a glorious day it is!

The day that conquered death, brought hope to all mankind, and gives us hope of a better life to come!

The Empty Egg

It was obvious that eight-year-old Stephen's mental retardation was becoming even more severe. His Sunday school teacher did her best to include Stephen in the classroom activities and to avoid situations which might prompt his classmates to make fun of him.

In April, she gave each of the eight children in the class an empty plastic Easter egg and instructed them to place inside the container an object that represented new life in spring. Fearing that Stephen might not have caught on, and not wanting to embarrass him, the teacher had the children place all the containers on the desk so that she could open them.

The first had a tiny flower in it. "What a lovely sign of new life," said the teacher. One of the students couldn't help but erupt, "I brought that one!"

Next came a rock. The teacher assumed this must be Stephen's since rocks don't symbolize new life. But Billy shouted that his rock had moss on it, and moss represented new life. "Very good, Billy," agreed the teacher.

A butterfly flew from the third container and another child bragged that her choice was the best of all.

The fourth container was empty. This must be Stephen's, thought the teacher, quickly reaching for a different one.

"Teacher, please don't skip mine," interrupted Stephen.

"But it's empty, Stephen." said the teacher gently.

"That's right," said Stephen, "The tomb was empty, and that represents new life for everyone."

Later that summer, Stephen's condition worsened and he died. At his funeral on his casket, mourners found eight plastic Easter eggs, all of them empty.

I hope you have enjoyed participating in this Easter Week with me.

Each year as I re-read these stories I am reminded of the new start available to us all-  these changes are up to us and can begin again and again.

I pray you all have a wonderful Easter morn and celebration of the hope we have through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

He Lives!!