Aza's Easter Discovery

Little Aza's face lit up like a sunrise when she talked about the Easter Bunny! With wide eyes, she would describe the Easter Bunny's adventures, delivering eggs filled with sweet surprises to the homes of all the good boys and girls on the eve of Easter Sunday.

"Daddy, I'm absolutely sure!” little Aza exclaimed, her voice full with anticipation. "The Easter Bunny is coming to our house on Easter Eve, and he's bringing us the best chocolate eggs ever!"

Her father listened to her bubbling enthusiasm, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Just one thing, sweetie," he asked gently, "have you been good this year?"

"Absolutely!" Little Aza declared, her voice full of certainty. "I've been good, Daddy. I've cleaned my room just like Mum told me to."

Her father's eyes sparkled with warmth as he listened. "Let's see...,” he said thoughtfully. "How about that evening when you didn't want to finish your dinner because of the vegetables? Does that ring a bell?"

Little Aza's confidence wavered, and she looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah... I remember. I'm sorry, Daddy."

"Do you think the Easter Bunny will still bring you those yummy chocolate eggs, even when you didn't exactly listen to Mum about finishing your dinner?" Her father asked, his voice filled with gentle curiosity.

Little Aza's face clouded over as she pondered her father's question. Her smile slowly fading like a sunset. A pang of sadness touched her heart as she considered the possibility that the Easter Bunny might not bring her any treats. Her face fell, and she looked down.

 "Daddy, what can I do?" Little Aza's voice trembled with worry. "I really, really want those chocolate eggs!"

"Her father looked at her with kindness. “Hmmm… I'm not sure if the Easter Bunny has the power to forgive, sweetie."

As little Aza’s face dropped, her father asked her to join him on the couch in the living room and he held her tightly in his arms. And after a few moments, he continued to say.

"The Easter Bunny is a special kind of rabbit, right?" her father asked gently.

Little Aza nodded.

"Well, who do you think created all the rabbits in the world?" her father asked.

"God created them!" Little Aza replied with conviction.

"Exactly!" her father said with a smile. "God created the rabbits. You know, Aza, the Easter Bunny might bring chocolate eggs, but there's someone else who brings us something even more special."

"Who's that?" Aza asked curiously.

"Jesus," her father replied gently. "Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life for us, so we can be forgiven forever. He shows us what it means to love and forgive perfectly."

Aza's eyes widened with wonder. "Really?"

"Yes, sweetie," her father said, holding up three fingers.

"The Easter season has three special days. First, there's Good Friday," he said, stretching out his arms wide in the shape of a cross.

"This is the day Jesus gave His life so we could be forgiven. Then comes Easter Sunday," he continued, his eyes shining with excitement.

"This is the day Jesus came back to life! He rose from the dead!"

Finally, he said, "And Easter Monday is the day Jesus went to Heaven. This is where He lives, but He lives in our hearts forever."

Little Aza listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow, Daddy, I had no idea," she said softly. "I thought Easter was just about chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny."

Her father smiled, holding her close. "Many people think that, but it's so much more than that. Jesus' love and forgiveness are the real gifts of Easter. And the best part is, His love is always with us, no matter what we do."

Aza thought about this for a moment, then looked up at her father with a curious expression. "Daddy, does that mean Jesus will still love me even when I'm not good?"

Her father nodded. "That’s the good news, sweetie. Jesus loves us no matter what. He wants us to know Him, to love Him too. And because of His love, we can be forgiven and start fresh every day."

Little Aza's face lit up with a smile. "I'm so glad, Daddy."

She felt a warmth spread through her heart as her father’s arms wrapped tightly around her.

The End

Happy Easter, dear reader! May you be filled with love anew as you remember Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption.

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