Easter Eggs

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Didn't you always love Easter egg hunts as a kid? They were always super exciting and fun to race your friends t find how many sweet treats you can find hidden in tree branches, under rocks, or in the creek. I miss those days. 

It's cool how now Disney and Pixar put a bunch of "Easter eggs" hidden throughout their videos. Whenever there's a boring part, or we've seen the movie too many times, our family searches for these Easter eggs. Whether it's a hidden Mickey or Buzz Lightyear, we always get super excited when we find them. 

Sometimes our life seems dull. Boring. Overdone and routine and going through the motions. How are we supposed to enjoy life when we are in this drought? What if we searched for the hidden Easter eggs?

What are some little things that make life brighter? How have you seen God's hand in your life today?

I think he gives us more blessings than we could ever imagine. As you look throughout the day, maybe make it a goal to find as many hidden Easter eggs and treats as you can. If you feel like nothing is going your way (or the Easter eggs are too high in the tree), then make some Easter eggs for other people. I personally love making little 2 inch "warm fuzzy books" for people with each page having a picture or sticker and a word telling them how much I care about them. It's super sweet and they love it because it looks like it takes effort and it's thoughtful, but it's not too hard to make. Or writing notes and leaving them in special places for people. Or smiling at them in the hallway. 

Believe it or not, as you create Easter eggs for others, you will be doubly creating extra for yourself! Take every opportunity for good! Look for the tender mercies God has placed in your life! You never know how much brighter you could be!

<3 Eliza

Sparrows/One by One

(Copyright Intellectual Reserve)

Okay first I'll share the scripture, and then ill share an experience I had. I couldn't decide which title this should be so I left both!

Matthew 10 says (and listen hard to this, because this is YOUR SAVIOR speaking:)

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

Look at that sparrow up there. Now, I love birds. I spent a majority of my middle school years bird watching. But believe me when I say I had to look long and hard to find a sparrow picture that was pretty. And even that one is not as effervescent as a hummingbird or as glorious as an eagle.

So, I guess it's worth is not in beauty. Maybe function? The sparrow serves as prey for snakes and cats, it eats seeds, and lives a couple years. Not much of a niche to brag about (haha ecology word!). We can count out function. The sparrow is not valued for its strength, or cunning, or beauty.

It's the value of their meat then! That must be it! No wait, Christ just said they were only sold for half a farthing (I looked it up, it was the smallest roman coin in use, and small in Greek as well. Under the value of two US dollars)

So why is it that God is aware when just one falls? It is because God loves the sparrow, he created it, and nothing more is needed to earn his love.

What about us? We are of more value than many sparrows (thanks, that makes me feel a lot better :). But hold that sarcasm. Because God knows when each sparrow falls.  There can be no doubt in our minds that he knows our small victories and weaknesses, our service and shortcomings, our pity parties. We are God's children, and he is our Father, and he loves us. 

Never fear! God loves you. However, these things are easier said than applied. The world just wants you to get down on yourself.

These past couple months have been kinda a roller coaster. I have days when everything's great, I'm so grateful to have moved away from drama and into a great neighborhood, I have friends, and everything's great. Then it seems in a few hours I could be crying and pleading to feel God's love for me because I don't feel love anywhere else. Sitting alone at lunch is awful. People gossiping about you is awful. Not having inside jokes with people or knowing everyone's history is awful. But you can know that God is always there for you, and knows your struggles and joys.

One thing that is so great though, is that God gives tender mercies to all his children. I'm so grateful for the tender mercies I've been shown just this week. For this week, two people who i admire so much from Va emailed me to see how I was doing.  I don't think that's a coincidence. It really helped me see just how much my Heavenly Father cares about me.

God loves us one by one. He knows your name, and all your pain. He knows your smiles, and wants to help you. One of the greatest comforts to me has been this song. Listen to it, and remember, there is always someone who loves you.