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I had a great post all written for this morning. Then Palm Sunday happened.

It was one of those sermons where everyone else could have stayed home- this one was just for me!

It’s been a rough two weeks at my house. Mean girls and standardized testing both chipped away at my girls’ self-confidence. Crumbling stucco showed evidence of my house’s need of repair. I made a HUGE financial mistake –which will cost me time and money to rectify. My precious sister continues to struggle in her fight against a debilitating disease. And so on….

Then I heard these words on Sunday morning:

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, throngs of people crowded around, waving palm branches, singing praises, straining for a glimpse of the King. The One who would end it all. The One who was promised to save them. ‘Hosanna, Hosanna’, they cried. ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’

One week later, those same crowds cried out again.

‘Crucify Him, Crucify Him’, they cried. ‘Give us Barabbas instead.’

One week.

Seven days.

What had happened in one week to change their cry from praise to accusation?

To cause them to put down their palm branches of praise and to raise clenched fists in the air?

Simply this.

Things were not working out the way they thought they should.

They imagined a King riding in victory to change it all. Prosperity. Victory. Freedom.

Instead, they got a humble servant, carrying a Cross- walking to His death. Followed by taunts and jeers. Sentenced to die.

Where is the victory in that ?

I can relate.

Can I be really honest with you? Somehow in the back of my mind is the thought that since we have lost so much, since my girls have lost their dad and grandparents, since I have had to walk the path of widowhood, things should be a little easier. The way should be smoother.

Sometimes I get mad because things are not working out the way I think they should.

And in those times, I can easily switch from a heart of praise, thankfulness, and trust to a heart of disappointment and dismay. How quickly my cry can shift from adoration to accusation. “Why, Lord why?” “How can you let this happen?” “Where is there any victory in this ugly?” Here’s my prayer for those times when I have doubts and questions:

Precious Jesus – as I walk through this Easter season, forgive me for my doubt. Forgive me for my lack of trust. Forgive me for joining the crowd and raising my fist in the air in accusation against the ugliness of life. I choose to trust You. No matter what. Thank You for Your faithfulness and that You were willing to die. For me. That You have promised to work all things together for good. Even when things are not working out the way I think they should, You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Your kingdom is forever. I pray that even in the middle of whatever life is throwing at us right now, we would still see You as King and choose to say “Hosanna”. Amen

He is risen!!!

Let’s take a few minutes and praise Him together!