Sniffles, Sneezing, and Easter...Oh My!

Sore throat. Sniffles. Sneezing. Sleepless nights. 

Not my choice for Easter week.

In our church we celebrate Holy Week...not only Easter Sunday.

It is hands-down my favorite time in our church.

Holy Thursday. Good Friday. Easter Vigil.

They all combine to cause an emotional and deep reaction to

the story of our Lord.

And I love it.

I just wish I could have participated with a feeling of wellness in my body.

Holy Thursday?

I almost skipped the feet washing ceremony because I just didn't have the energy to make sure my legs were shaved before I went to church.

Yes, I know, vain.

When I realized that my husband would be the one to wash my foot I quickly changed my mind

and participated.

He sleeps next to, and sometimes actually touches those unshaven legs, so

I was safe.

Good Friday?

The most heartrending day as we walk the road with Jesus (figuratively of course!).

It involves Adoration of the Cross which simply means as music plays softly the congregation precedes to the Cross, and each person takes a moment to touch the wood,

 head bent in private prayer.

It really is beautiful.

It really is long....2 1/2 hours.

 I almost fell asleep while waiting for my turn.

Easter Vigil?

The glorious Saturday night celebration.

Complete with fire, drums, rainbows of color, baptisms, boundless joy.

Celebrating the miracle of the Resurrection.

My husband and I, testy with each other because both of us were sick,

were not quite in a celebratory mood.

Little tension in the pew.

Easter Sunday?

Since the Easter Bunny had been sick I had some scurrying to do..and quickly.

Ran to Rite-Aide for some last minutes candy and I-tune cards.

Got caught when husband and daughter pulled up next to me in parking lot.

Proceeded to fill Easter Baskets in the darkness of the basement,

hide them,

and then send my 3 teenagers on a hunt to find them at....

12:00 noon!!

No early dawn hunt this year!

Then the preparing of dinner began.

Ham, pork roast, potatoes, asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

Candied carrots, gravy, double knot rolls, stuffed celery, strawberry shortcake.

My parents arrived.

Seeing them reminded me of why I was preparing this meal.

Their faces, at 80 and 78 years of age, are so dear to our whole family...

and we are blessed they are with us for another year.

Easter Night?

The realization in the stillness...

among the dirty dishes and scattered family members..

some at friends, some sleeping, some returned home..

The realization that sick or healthy,

happy or stressed,

big problems or small inconveniences

I am loved.

I am loved enough the He died for me.

Sometimes I can forget that in the busyness of my days.

And as I finished my Holy Week in front of a fire,

with a Hallmark movie

and glass of Pinot Grigio,

I couldn't help but think that maybe He understood

and maybe...

He smiled.

It's not in how well we serve Him,

it's that we serve and celebrate Him

in spite of circumstances.

Happy Belated Easter everyone!