Peter

Easter morning, there have been the usual traditions- plenty of candy, balloons and a potluck brunch.

There were new traditions created, including an Easter egg hunt for the kids (complete with Resurrection Eggs to tell Jesus' story), Easter napping, and Mae Leah, Heather and I tying tying balloons to friends' cars (you're welcome). We also offered a balloon to an elderly stranger, to which he obliged and happily strolled away.

The less traditional event that happened for me this year was a message that really moved me. I feel like sometimes churches expect a lot of people who don't regularly attend church (true), so the sermon ends up being vague rather than powerful. But, to be fair, I also haven't attended our sunrise service in a few years, so I could have very well missed out on some excellent messages from Tim.

This year though, I did attend the sunrise service, and Tim spoke about the Resurrection through the disciple Peter's eyes. Peter was kind of a mess. He loved Jesus passionately and full-heartedly, but still had trouble when it came to understanding restraint and fearless devotion on occasion. Over identify much? I sure did.

The best thing though was that even though Peter denied Christ and want to brawl on occasion, his shortcomings were not the point of the sermon, nor the point of his life's story. The theme that is underscored throughout Peter's life is the grace and never ending love Jesus had for Him. Peter made plenty of mistakes (as we all do), but each time he screwed up, Jesus saw not his mistakes but his earnest and apologetic heart.

This is such an encouragement to know that someone like me, like Peter, can have confidence that how God loves us has absolutely nothing to do with what we do (or don't do).