Palm Sunday in my PJ's

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When our girls were small- they’d look forward to getting a palm leaf and waving it during the service time on Palm Sunday. This was to symbolize or reenact what transpired on Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his betrayal, crucifixion, death and resurrection as recorded throughout the Gospels.

“The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!””
— John 12:12-13

As a mom to little girls, I loved watching their unbridled joy putting their whole self into worship, dancing, singing and moving freely more than other services perhaps. The message and intent of it all? Celebrate, Anticipate, Freedom and Joy! One year, they were a part of a dance team that performed a song together with women of all ages. Powerful to witness the strength, grace, and beauty in their expressions.

We Can Learn From the Pure Joy and Faith of Children.

Our girls are all grown up now, and it’s just Tim and me at home. 2020 marks the first year as official empty nesters. The imagery of them dancing with palm leaves will be forever etched in my memory. I may not have the church sanctuary to inspire worship today on Palm Sunday, I do though have the sanctuary of my heart to rejoice within. Now with the pandemic affecting all spheres of society throughout all nations, we are being led to adjust to the quiet, the calm, the new discipline of solitude to face this storm head-on with both grit and faith. For that, I am grateful to find subtle blessings among the growing pandemonium.

Physical (not Social) Distancing

The new term during this pandemic is to practice “Physical Distancing”, rather than Social Distancing as we also need each other. I am so very grateful for the gift of technology to stay connected with family, friends and faith communities. Coffee chats, studies, classes, prayer gatherings online can become our new norm these days. Joining a service online expands my heart sanctuary towards the community.

In these last few months, my husband and I have been re-reading the book of John and reflecting, meditating, praying through the life and teachings of Jesus. Many theologians and pastors alike would suggest reading the book of John to get to know the person of Jesus Christ for the first time or as a refresher to give context to the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. No matter if you are new to the faith or have been a follower of Christ for years and years, we can find answers to all the challenges in life we are facing., John 16:33 verse has been a comfort to me for many years now, but a helpful reminder during this pandemic.

“Jesus said “ I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” ”
— John 16:33

I appreciate reading from my “red-letter Bible” during times like these - highlighting the actual words of Jesus Himself. We both are loving the short Bible Project videos too as it recaps God’s word in a fun and succinct way i.e. “Helping people experience the Bible as a unified story. . .”

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Most of us though are not in the mood these days to wave branches or are in any celebratory mood given the many trials we are facing. If we aren’t affected by the virus physically, we are all affected in some way: emotionally, relationally, financially etc. There is fear, grief, pain, suffering, loneliness, and chaos all around.

This Too Shall Pass

In the last book of the Bible, we are given prophetic glimpses into the future. Another promise that I hold onto amidst crisis times is “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)

In Revelation 7:9-10, God’s word prophetically speaks to how we/humanity will “wave palms” in victory when Jesus comes again. `As strange as it seems to celebrate, supernaturally, we can do so as we focus on who Jesus is past, present and future as we find our story in God’s story awaiting His final return.

“ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!””
— Revelation 7:9-10

Only God knows when that time will come. Until then, I will shed more tears and continue serving where led. I will bear other’s burdens, and press into God’s kingdom promises. I mourn with what is and dream of what is yet to be: Deliverance, Justice, Reconciliation, Grace. For that, I cannot be silent. To rejoice means to ‘cause joy’. I have every reason in this world and in the life everlasting to have joy amidst this storm. Sometimes you have to do something physically to conjure up more joy spiritually when it doesn’t seem normal to do so. In honor of my kid’s faith from that precious memory, I think I’ll go rip off a leaf from my houseplant, crank up the worship music and dance in my Pj’s in the kitchen because I can. For that, I give thanks.

Palm Sunday blogposts to note: