Let's celebrate Easter, every day

Living as Easter People 

We have made it through the grey months of winter and the desert of Lent! The Easter celebration has passed, the eggs have all been found, and alleluia has been shouted.

With the disciplines of Lent behind us, it can be tempting to return to life as “normal.” But as we hear Jesus tell the disciples in the first season of The Chosen, we are supposed to “get used to different.” Our families — filled with the joy of the resurrection — are called to become beacons of light in the world. As we juggle our busy calendars, how can we remain intentional about living in the joy of the risen Christ and continue sharing the Good News of salvation? Here are a few simple things we can do as families to keep living as an Easter people.

It is so easy to succumb to focusing on the frustrations of life. Jesus tells us, though, that he has come to bring good news, to offer us salvation, and to give us life in abundance. We are reminded in St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians that whatever we do, we ought to do it in the name of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father. This Easter, practice making gratitude a central part of your family life. Incorporate it into your dinner table conversations. Include it as part of your evening prayer. Encourage everyone to begin their day with a prayer of thanksgiving. It can seem overly simple, but in these small acts, we can begin to create an innate posture of gratitude that helps us acknowledge even the smallest gifts of God in our lives and recognize him at work in the lives of others.

ACTION: Create a “blessings jar” in your home. Each evening, invite everyone to add a slip of paper that shares one thing they are thankful for that day. At the end of each month, go back and read through what has been shared to see how God has been present in your household's life.

Walk in Prayer

It is spring in Surrey, and the weather is finally getting warmer! Members of our Church family intentionally pray for our community by taking prayer walks through our neighbourhood. Praying for our neighbours doesn’t have to be scary! Take a walk around the local streets as a family and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

ACTION: Get to know your neighbours if you don’t already. Learn their names, and intercede in prayer for them by name. As your relationship grows, be bold — ask them if there are things you can pray for specifically.

Spread Joy

We are called to be joyful missionary disciples; the importance of joy cannot be understated. Nobody likes a mood hoover for long. In fact, Mother Teresa of Calcutta wisely taught us that joy is a net of love by which we can capture souls. The joy and imagination of our children can certainly move hearts!

With your children, a little paint will keep them occupied for a long time, and they love sharing their creations with the world. Give them a mission project: paint rocks with short messages sharing the hope and joy of Christ to leave in public spaces around the neighbourhood. Make little cards to give out to neighbours. We never know who might need a sign — however small — that they are seen, loved and not alone. A bright and visible reminder might shine a sliver of light into someone’s darkness.

ACTION: Have the children assemble small care packages with an encouraging note, artwork and something fun like bubbles, a mini-puzzle or colouring book/crayons and see if you can drop them off at a local hospital, nursing home or care facility where residents might feel isolated.

Just some ideas to live as Easter people.