Monday, April 25, 2011

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!







15 comments:

  1. Awww, what a great post!!! Happy Easter.

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  2. "Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
    — Mother Teresa

    I came across this quote this week ~ and with all we juggle (sometimes ahead of the game, sometimes behind the eight ball) I found it comforting. I love how you describe this time in your church ~ and inspired as you describe your faithfulness to them and to Him! Hope you're feeling better!

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  3. http://youtu.be/pLLMzr3PFgk

    No idea what you think of Carrie Underwood, but the link is her singing My God How Great Thou Art ~ most beautiful rendition I've ever heard ~

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful weekend! Well, except the being sick part! Our daughter found the Easter stash in our bedroom on Saturday while I was napping with a headache! OOPS!!!

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  5. I love this post! I love Easter. This year, I came to a realization that Easter is my "New Year." it is a time of remembrance, reflection and thankfulness for Our Savior.

    I'm so glad you are running in the cul-de-sac. I'm tellin' ya'-that worried the poop out of me, when I thought you were out running wild in the streets at night;-) Take care and sending blessings and love your way! Cynthia

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  6. So beautifully written. I'm glad you had a good Easter Sunday even though you were sick at beginning of the week!

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  7. Great post, Kristi. It sounds like a lot of love there :)

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  8. Amazing post! Sorry about the sickness. I feel your pain. I suddenly woke up on Saturday with a sore throat and a cough!? Good Friday and the Easter Vigil sound so meaningful! We celebrate all of it at my church, too.

    We are all loved dearly by Him. Thanks for the reminder! Happy Easter!

    P.S: Heartrending? Well, thanks for ending an arguement I had with my friend. She kept telling me it was a word and I'm like, "No, it isn't! Heart wrenching, but not heartrending." Guess I was wrong! :)

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  9. Happy Easter to you too! You wrote beautifully, and I'm glad I've found your blog!

    It's my first time in the Hop a Little Tuesday, and there's where I found you :)

    Here's hoping we can be friends!

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  10. It's truly the best time of the year. You're absolutely right!

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  11. Thanks for stopping by...I'm following back :)

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  12. you know i bet he is smiling big...glad you survived it and how cool the foot washing...love those ceremonies...

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  13. I learned so very much in this post!

    Your passion, your love, your joy really shine through. I adore that about you!

    The shaved legs portion made me giggle; I'm not going to lie!

    Beautiful words, lady. Truly.

    XO

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  14. A lovely post. I hope you are feeling better x

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  15. hi, thanks for leaving a comment at Jingle Poetry blog.

    poems that are unrelated to our theme are welcome.

    love your blog, stunning poetry,

    hope to see you this Sunday, we are open 8pn, American central.

    ReplyDelete

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