But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8 NLT
How did I drift so far from the central message of Easter? God goes over the top to express His love, by allowing His Son to be nailed to a cross and die in order to rescue me from death. His mind-boggling love makes me want to love like that.
However, my deep desire to express love to my family can sometimes turn into something bordering on ugly, a grotesque distortion. This is especially true when a holiday or birthday comes along. For example, I somehow came to believe that I love them best at Easter by putting on a celebration in which very elaborate Easter baskets take center stage. Though I’m not sure exactly how I got there, I found myself producing the most outlandish super-sized baskets full of consumer goods you’ve ever seen!
My quiet, but wise husband told me early on, “Once you start this, Kathy, you’re going to be expected to keep it up.” No truer words have ever been spoken. So, last year about this time, I set out to meet and exceed my own lofty standards for the Easter holiday. After gathering and assembling mass quantities of themed items (fitness for my son, kitchen for my mom, spring duds for my daughter), I wrapped them in cellophane, put a bow on top, and hefted them onto the dining table.
My creations were met with the usual oohs and aahs. My mother declared, “You’ve done it again!” I’m not sure she realized the depth of the truth of her statement. My insides sensed it, though. Accepting her compliment, I felt as hollow as the chocolate bunny in her basket.
My sinking feeling was confirmed later that afternoon as my son headed for the door. All he had in his hand was a large jar of jumbo cashews and a tee shirt. “Don’t you want to take your Easter basket things with you, Buddy?” In the sweetest way possible he said, “No thanks, Mom. I don’t need all that stuff.” He hugged me and was gone.
Although his words rang true at the time, it wasn’t until the following Saturday that the Lord helped me get in touch with the tension I’d been feeling over those baskets. He led me to this Scripture:
Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised. (Song 8:7)
I hadn’t specifically been seeking wisdom about the way I’d approached holidays at my house. But as I sought to understand the meaning of this passage, those Easter baskets sprang immediately to mind. I now saw the problem clearly. I had slipped into doing the very thing this passage described. I had offered up swag in place of the imperishable gift of love.
It sickened my heart to realize my mistake. “Lord, forgive me for losing sight of love, the only thing that never fails. Thank You for showing me that my little offerings are so much less than the real thing, the thing we all long to find and would trade all else to have. Purge away every pitiful excuse for love and remind me next time I begin to go overboard. And please, if it is Your will, give me a chance to tell Jackson what I’ve learned.”
About 30 minutes later, the back door swung open announcing the unexpected arrival of my son. He was taking a break from the tiny apartment where he studies, here to get his laundry done and eat some home cooking. As he ate, I was able to share with him what the Lord had just revealed. “So, Jackson, I get it now. Thank you for being a part of my breakthrough.” I couldn’t help but notice a hint of a smile as he replied, “It only took you ten years!”
We went on to talk about all the excuses and excesses that people use to connect with other people. We give cheap substitutes, thinking we are giving our best. It was a good conversation and, at one point I said, “I just love you guys so much, I’m always trying to find a way to let you know that.” What I heard next refreshed my heart, springing up pure and sweet and lasting: “Mom, I don’t think that was ever in doubt.”
Even much water cannot put out the flame of love; floods cannot drown love.
Song of Solomon 8:7a NCV