Holy Week To-Do Lists can be as scattered and smothered as a Waffle House menu! The Easter Bunny needs to shop at Walgreens or Target, but remember not to leave the bags in the back of the minivan where the chocolate could melt or little snooping eyes could discover the treats. Maybe I'll actually finish that devotional book I had hoped to read during Lent...I guess my Lenten discipline goals look about as busted as my March Madness basketball bracket.

I'm still on an emotional high from the fun of the Glenn School Gala on Friday, a VERY Eggcellent Saturday, and a joyous Palm Sunday, yet my head is spinning trying to keep up with the political news of the day and my heart is breaking at the sobering realities of war and famine and violence around the world and in our own local news. It's not just news and headlines I have to tell myself as my heart and mind feel the scattering and the smothering thoughts - it's beloved children of God of all ages, young siblings who once bickered as much as mine are now grieving for parents and raising one another in seemingly impossible situations. And so like the crowds on the streets of Jerusalem generations ago, I join in with the shouts, "Hosanna!" "Lord, save us!"

This unsettled feeling in my soul cannot be filled with raiding the Easter basket candy stash even as I tell myself I'll re-stock before this weekend. The joyful delight we witnessed as children raced for Easter eggs, chased bubbles, and covered their faces in sticky cotton candy cannot compare to the deep, abiding joy and hope that the awaiting promise of the Resurrection brings... We may be scattered and feeling smothered, but this Holy Week, may we know beyond a shadow of a doubt (and doubts are okay-- more on that with the story of Thomas on Sunday, April 7!), that we are covered by God's love and grace as he lived, died, and conquered hell and death.

Holy Week blessings...Sunday's a comin',
– Susan