This week marks the start of Holy week. Today is Palm Sunday. Jesus did something monumental for all of us. Mark 9:31 says…”He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”
This moment of death on the cross. This really matters. It is a moment we can hardly wrap our heads around.
But, here’s the problem. Life gets in the way. Sometimes it just is hard to let the power, the holiness of this week really feel holy. I don’t feel very “Jesus’y”
Here is how my morning started…
Ellie, our almost 5-year old, woke up grumpily walking into our room screaming, “I need a tissue. I have boogers.” Noah, our almost 7-year old was surprisingly already in our bed, which we noticed when we finally opened our eyes. Ellie continued screaming as she climbed into our bed, “Noah get out of the way.” “Ellie stop kicking me” “My ears hurt. My mouth hurts. I still need a tissue.”
My husband and I are trying to open our eyes and even comprehend the sudden loudness surrounding us. It is much too early.
Somehow we got ready. Somehow we got breakfast and out of the house.
I sit down after a morning like this and I think, ‘How can I even begin to comprehend this day amidst my real life.’
I struggle with holidays and big, important days like this now that we have kids. I want to pass on the perfect, beautiful memories to them. I want to make sure they know Jesus and that he is first in their minds. I want glitter and sparkles and dyed eggs and egg hunts and perfect moments together. I want everything.
And, so far…
My expectations usually fall flat. It’s been anything but perfect.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this because Easter. He is risen and it’s amazing and my life is forever changed by My Jesus. But, I’m weary from my kids waking me up grumpily and I’m stressed about the pile of clothes to put away and we didn’t even grocery shop this week due to a crazy week of sickness last week so we’ve been eating random bits of frozen food and leftovers that are sketchy.
How can I even take a moment to comprehend Easter among all this life? I don’t have the energy to even open my Bible and read the Easter story because I often feel just tapped out. I have nothing left for Jesus.
And, today, it really struck me.
Jesus wants to fill me up. I’m not supposed to fill him up.
He wants to deliver me from perfection and expectation and the I’m not good enough, my traditions fall flat, my kids are too crazy, my motherhood is not what it should be emotions that I have. All gone. My sin of comparison and complaining and trying to do it on my own. Gone.
So, here is the thing. Please hear this, because I think this freedom is so good and wonderful and I think we just need Jesus so much. We give and give and give and we feel like we can’t take. But, we need to take Jesus. We need to let him fill us up. We cannot pour in to others if we are not being filled ourselves.
So, today, as we ponder the sacrifice Jesus made, as we start this holy week, I want to give you the opportunity to take Jesus moments every day.
You can have a Jesus moment anywhere.
You can have a Jesus moment in the middle of the night while you are nursing your newborn. You can have a Jesus moment while you are sitting in the bathroom (maybe this is your only alone time all day!) You can have a Jesus moment over a cheeseburger at lunch. You can have a Jesus moment if you go to church. You can have a Jesus moment even if the kids are running around the house screaming.
This moment is not about the perfect place or time. It is not about making sure you read the right book or passage of scripture. This moment is about surrender.
Here is what I want you to do.
- Each day this week we will have a worship song posted here for you to listen to with the lyrics and a reflection for you to print or read online.
- Listen to with the lyrics and a reflection for you to print or read online.
- Listen to the song with your eyes closed, letting the words wrap themselves around you. A prayer for your soul.
- Sit down. Or stand up. Just be still.
- Whisper, “Jesus, I’m yours. Thank you for the cross. I surrender it all to you.”
- He’ll do the rest (he already has!)
We are doing this every day as a simple reminder that we need to surrender over and over again. As you approach the cross this week, center your heart on him daily in surrender. Let his peace wash over you.
Here is a song for today. It’s time to lay down whatever it is holding us back from getting started.
“Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see
I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
