Here comes Peter Cottontail....

This Easter was the first time I got to play Easter bunny, because last year Caleb didn't decide to make his appearance until the day after.

Since babies shouldn't really eat a bunch of candy, Caleb
received some summer toys and clothes to enjoy instead.

Checking things out!

Trying things out too!

"I can make a mess with this stuff!"

After a little family time Easter morning, we dressed Caleb up a bit fancier than normal and headed to our church, Grace Bible Fellowship.

Caleb, you are so handsome.

Carrying his Great-Great Grandma Gladys's coffee
pot around the front porch

"I like this thing."

Caleb with Mommy

After church, we headed to Granny's to celebrate with our family.

Caleb got a car Easter basket full of goodies.

It was a gorgeous day and Caleb couldn't wait to
go outside. He headed out of the house barefoot, enjoying
the afternoon with Hayden and Granddaddy Jeff.

Hayden and Caleb enjoyed the leaves too. Hayden
threw them in the air over Caleb's head; Caleb smiled
and squealed in response.

A stray cat Granny feeds had kittens under her bushes.
The kids enjoyed themselves trying to catch them.
Caleb, who had been admiring the cats from a distance for a
couple weeks, was excited to see one up close.

As with every holiday, we had to make an appearance and share in the fun at Grandma and Granddaddy Hockman's as well. The time was spent eating great food, relaxing, and hunting Easter eggs!

"Look, Mommy! I found a purple egg and the water spout."

Grandma helped point out some of the hidden eggs.

"I see it, Grandma, but I'm not sure I want to
stick my hand back there. You get it!"

How many did you find, Caleb?

Hurry, Caleb. You're missing all the eggs!

Everybody wanted to be in on the hunt. Run, Cole!

Afterward, Granddaddy gave Caleb a t-ball lesson.

Caleb may be a better golfer at this point,
but he's having a great time learning.

"Ok, I will just sit the ball here, and then I'll wack it."

Hit the ball out of Granddaddy's hand.

The day was gorgeous and the time with our family was nice, but the best part of the day was knowing the security we have in Christ as a result of His suffering and resurrection. Let's face it, we all mess up at times ("For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23), and since God is perfect and holy, He couldn't allow us into heaven with the filth of our sin. We were doomed because Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death." Luckily, because God loves us and wants none of us to suffer and live apart from Him, He allowed His only son to die to pay the ransom for our sins. ("For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16) Thinking of the sweet little guy in the picture above, I can't imagine giving up my son for people who are doing all kinds of evil, especially watching as he suffered such a horrible death. In Isaiah, it says Jesus suffered so terribly that he no longer looked human.

The amazing news for us is that Jesus didn't stay in the tomb. God raised Him from the dead, demonstrating His power over death. As a result, the second half of Romans 6:23 says "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. " Only the one who raises men from death could give us eternal life and the great part is that it's a gift. All we need to do is ask for it and live for Him. The bible says: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) This means we don't have to get everything right or clean up our act before we start following Christ; it means that even in our mess Jesus loved us so much that He died for us. I am more than thankful that today "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). This is why we celebrate!

Unbelievably, we don't have to work to earn entrance into heaven nor can we. ("For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9) We can be assured of where we will spend eternity simply by giving our lives to Jesus. In Revelation 3:20 God says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and dine with Him, and he with Me." Our family has joyfully welcomed Jesus into our lives and He has blessed us abundantly. Everything isn't always easy, but we can face tomorrow knowing that, because Jesus conquered death for us, we can be assured of where we will spend eternity.

While chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts are nice, all we need is Jesus.