Most of the time we go to the Methodist church down the road from our house, but sometimes when we can't go to church Sunday morning we will go to the Catholic church on Saturday or Sunday night. Hunter has gotten to experience both churches and quickly realized that he can "see Jesus" on the cross in one church but not the other.
Both Catholics and Methodist understand that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected as those are both pivotal events for our faith. Through Christ's death and resurrection God redeemed humankind from sin, demonstrated once and for all that God's power and love is stronger than all power on earth, even death, and confirmed that God's promise for eternal life is for all who believe and live in Jesus' way. The difference is how those beliefs are emphasized in the church. Catholics tend to emphasize the crucifixion as a reminder of Christ's suffering for us. Methodist tend to emphasize the empty cross as a sign that Jesus overcame his suffering and death and is risen.
All of that is to say that Hunter noticed in the Methodist church that he couldn't "see" Jesus. So then came the questions.
Hunter: Where Jesus at Mommy?
Me: He is in Heaven
Hunter: But I want to see Jesus
Me: Sometimes he is hard to see, but he is always here for you
Hunter: Jesus in heaven?
Me: Yes Baby
Hunter: Heaven up there? {pointing to the sky}
Me: Yes that is exactly right
Hunter: But I want to SEE Jesus
Me: He is hard to see but he is always in your heart
Hunter: {Quietly looking around the church} {Gets a grin across his face as big as could be} Mommy....I SEE HIM!
Make me think....what if we all lived our faith life like Hunter saw it? That we took quiet time to reflect and find Jesus in every situation? All I know is that when I look at my babies I can't help but think "I SEE HIM!"
Hunter & Lauran,
I pray that regardless what stage you are in your spiritual life that you find a way to see Jesus. It may be in a sunset, the green coming out in the spring, in a story from a friend, through a smile, or through the warmth of a baby, but find a way to see Jesus every day. Life won't always be easy, you will get hurt, you will lose loved ones, and bad things will happen to good people, but regardless -- find a way to see Jesus. Always conduct yourself so that others may see Jesus in you. You never know when your kind words, gentle acts, beautiful smile, or simple actions may have a positive impact on people or be exactly what someone needed that day for them to see Jesus. Be an advocate for Him in all that you do, and you will live a fulfilled life. I fall short of this feat daily but trust that I will always strive to be an example to you in all the ways of the world and faith. I thank God literally a hundred times a day for the both of you because you both are one way that I see Jesus every day:
Hunter Gerard - 5/11/10
Lauran Machele 8/02/12
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