The reality of reading to children isn’t always (as I used to say in my classroom) skittles and rainbows. Sometimes kids have bad attitudes. Sometimes kids even say they don’t want to read or be read to. My Emerson gave me this over the weekend as I settled down to read another chapter of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I always take these things personally (did in the classroom as well), simply because I know what is coming and I suppose I am assuming they should too. But they don’t know what’s coming. It would have been easy for me to give up. We were on a chapter that was long and although integral to the overall meaning and end, didn’t really capture anyone’s attention. I let Emerson off the hook (Reese wanted to finish) and took my book and did what I always did as a teacher. I edited the chapter to fit the need of my daughter. Sorry Mr. Lewis, but I crossed out some of your passages… I changed a few of your words so that Emerson could understand them better. I re read the chapter to her… we made it through. Whew!
Last night, as I read chapter 12, I was reminded why I push forward when I’m feeling like giving up. We heard of Aslan in chapter 8 BUT we MET Aslan in chapter 12. Oh what a great conversation we had. Reese sat straight up in her bed with excitement to explain to me that they are entering into battle. We discussed the upcoming battle between good and evil… who we thought might win… how that might be like another story we know. I still was uncertain as to how Emerson was taking it all. She tends to internalize more and keep her thoughts to herself. I could tell she was afraid though as I read about the battle between Peter and the wolf. But it ended with a chuckle from her when Aslan bopped Peter on the head with the sword and told him to never forget to clean his sword after battle.
This morning as we were preparing to leave home for the day, Emerson showed me that what she heard in chapter 12 had really sunk in. I had a worship song on my phone playing. Emerson walked up to the phone to watch the video. She became enthralled, immersed. The song displayed a picture of Calvary, of Jesus on the cross. She asked me if the cross was like the stone table in Narnia. YES! This led to me asking her to predict what might happen to Aslan. She asked if he was going to die. I told her that if Aslan does die, and he is like Christ, he will….. (I waited for her to fill in the blank)… he will ARISE!
Through tears (mine and Reese’s – we are the sensitive ones) we three girls praised Jesus this morning for His awesome sacrifice. My six and seven year old daughters wanted to know how Jesus died… If they were mean to Him… If He hurt. So I told them. I made it clear to them just how painful and sacrificial it was, that death on the Cross. They were heartbroken. But we ended our morning conversation with rejoicing. We are filled with joy knowing that Jesus died for us in the way that He did so that we may have LIFE everlasting!
The lyrics below are what Emerson listened to so intently to this morning. Please click the link below to hear how powerful the lyrics are with music behind them. This morning, I hope you will be blessed, as we were!
http://bendonahower.com/mercy-tree-lacey-sturm-lyrics/
On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole
Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the Mercy Tree
In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns
It is a finished watch his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice. Our victory. Our Savior chose the mercy tree
Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown
On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
One day soon We’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe away
No more pain or suffering
Praise him for the mercy tree
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
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