Entering the Sanctuary of Holy Week

We enter the sanctuary, the sacredness of Holy Week.

I take the step over the threshold into God’s story.

Ahh, take that deep breath and pause in God’s wonder and love.

My hubby and I have been traveling and have another quick trip coming soon. What a blessing but (why do those “buts” always stop us?) – fatigue, travel hassles, and busyness take over my soul in this week of a multitude of worship services and commitments all jammed into 6 days.  I am tired, feel scattered, and to be honest, I am missing God.

Not the way I really want to live and to be honest I don’t think the way God wants us to live either. I cling to my self-centeredness instead of dwelling in Christ-centeredness. I am distracted instead of focusing on the sacrifice and love of and in God.

My word of the year is “way” and one way I am leaning into this word is to listen. So I put down my pen, close my laptop, step away from the to-do list and sit still in my prayer corner. I close my eyes, start with some breath prayers and let go.

Silence encompasses me and I rest in God’s way. Stillness. Peace. Presence.

I am learning God’s way is slow, silent, and saturated with prayer, praise, and gratitude.

In God’s embrace in this time of remembrance during Holy Week, my prayer unfolds:

I trade my self-pity and fretfulness for trust in You. I rest in Your love.

I thirst and find refreshment with Your Living Water.

I pray – You will, not mine.

Thank you for these gifts of time, life itself, the hope and hint of spring, and being with me even when I neglect You.

Focus my heart not on disruptions and diversions, but only on the divine.

I ask my Friend, Jesus to bless this Holy Week before me, to remind me to slow down and savor His story, to help me see and hear what really matters.

A few minutes later I am back working at my desk. I look up, out my office window and spot on the roof of the garage, two mourning doves sitting, snuggling with each other. I smile. I sense God smiling too. 

May God’s blessing be fully evident for you too during this most Holy Week