THE GREATEST ILLUSTRATED STORY

Have you ever watched a group of young children being taught a bible lesson? They might be bored or distracted, but unveil a prop and, instantly, they’ll perk up, sit up, and focus. It can be the most mundane visual—an ordinary glass jar half filled with water—and it still has power, grabbing attention, keeping interest.

For all our sophistication and maturity, us adults can be much the same as children, can’t we? When we see something, we better understand; when a story also has a picture, we’re more likely to remember details; when an abstraction has a visual, we’re more likely to... believe.

Faith is confidence in things hoped for and conviction of things we can’t see.

But God, because He made us, knows us, and wired us, has filled His world with paintings, sculptures, and set designs that illustrate His Story.

The Word became flesh. Visible. We picture not the Person, but we break bread and drink wine as a picture of the sacrifice.

Flesh buried, raised, and now, though invisible, with visual reminders woven into the very ordinances of His church. “As long as you do this, do this in remembrance of me.”

His Truth, illustrated by things both beautiful and barren, fills not just His church but also His world.

Things unseen, confirmed by what we see.

Theologians describe it like this: special revelation—His Word—tells us the Story of Redemption; general revelation—His World—illustrates it.

Our faith may be in Someone invisible, but around each bend, the unveiling of things He’s made remind us of those things He's told, things we see with eyes of faith.

This past weekend, another snowfall in Toronto; another layer of frozen white upon frozen ground. The story of Redemption with the picture of purifying love. "You, with all your sin, with all your stains, with all your blemishes and failures and ugliness... You are my bride and I will make you as white as snow."

We’re in the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter. Forty days.

The ground is yet hard, frozen, lifeless. Will new life come from this hardened place?

We believe what He’s written, that Christian paradox, that we only learn to live as we learn to die.

Yet still we hear ourselves ask: What about me? Are you remaking me? Are you bringing about new life?  

Because we know that new life never grows out of ground that is frozen hard and dead cold.

Each year, the picture: Winter's black and white gives way to Spring's vibrant color. It’s the same every year and yet, like the child listening to a story, we can’t help but sit up and notice. 

Forty days until Easter.

Quietly...  Hard ground is being softened and He is bringing forth new life.

PICTURES ~ A WINTER VISIT WITH GRANDMA AND GRAMMY

Last weekend we were delighted to have two women we love come and spend a few nights with us. The visit consisted of lots of time spent drinking warm drinks (on the coldest weekend of the winter!) and sitting around the table talking; board games and puzzles; movies and storybooks. We also were able to spend an evening with some of dear friends who live not that far away.

We love you, Grandma and Grammy! 

Thank you for coming to visit!

PICTURES ~ VALENTINE'S DAY 2015

This year we were so thankful to have Grandma Morey and Grammy Eby visiting us over Valentine's Day. As always in the Galotti house, the day involved enjoying the happy colours and shapes that accompany the day (who doesn't enjoy a little extra cheerful red in the middle of the long winter months?), a festive brunch, and a special family dinner.

Valentine's Day 2015 was made all the more special by having visiting loved ones to spend the day with.

PICTURES ~ A FUN FILLED DAY FOR A BOY WHO TURNED SEVEN

A few weeks before Jake's birthday, he and I were sitting together with a pencil, paper, and lots of birthday party ideas. First we started with the list of his friends. He's a blessed little guy with so very many friends from different circles in his life, so it was a long list! Then we planned out the menu and the games. Finally we talked about various loot bag options.

As the conversation wrapped up, Jake said to me, You know, Mom, what I'd actually love to do this year more than anything else? I'd love to go to Chuck E Cheese. Just our family. And then maybe go see a movie, too. Do you think we could it? So that was exactly what we did.

We're already planning to invite his buddies over soon for a casual pizza and movie night--not a party, just a time to hang together. But we spent his birthday night playing video games, eating pizza, and watching Paddington at the theater. (Or, as Jake likes to refer to the movies these days, At the Cinema watching a film.)

Our dear friends, the Clarys, live just around the corner from the Cinema, so we concluded Jake's birthday at their house singing to our big seven year old and eating cupcakes with friends. The day began at the crack of dawn opening birthday presents and eating blueberry pancakes. All in all, and according to Jake, it was a great birthday.

As a mother, one of my favorite moments of my children's birthdays is that first glimpse of them in the morning as a newly turned whatever-year-old, and watching their eager face as they come down the stairs. Below are the pictures from Jake's special day, beginning in the morning with presents and then with other festivities as the day unfolded.