Happy Easter

• E - early one morning
• A - a long time ago
• S - some faithful women
• T - to Jesus tomb did go
• E - empty they found it
• R - risen was He, risen for you and for me

My Pastor shared that this morning in service... I loved it, and this true story about a wonderful eight year old boy...

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 L'eggs panty hose container (plastic 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 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 studentscouldn't help but erupt, "I brought that one!" Next came a rock. The teacher assumed that this must beStephen's, since rocks don't symbolize new life. But Billy shouted that his rock had moss on it, and mossrepresented 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 forth 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 L'eggs pantyhose containers, all of them empty.

This true story of Stephen reminds us of the hope we all have because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ."For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Take the time this Easter and truly celebrate the empty tomb and the promise of new life that Jesus promises all of us.