Palm Sunday 2003

I wanted to share with you a little bit about the upcoming holiday tomorrow and what it's significance means to me.

I had made a new friend at work that year and he seemed like he was always so full of joy. Back then I struggled with lack of joy. I asked him one day why he was the way he was and his straight forward answer slapped me in the face, but in a good way.  He said, "It's because of Jesus".  I had grown up in various churches and I had even been baptized when I was 10, but I had fallen away from the church for various reasons and never gave it a second thought. However, with a lot of turmoil in the previous couple of years at that time in my life, I had often prayed and thought about going back to church. I just didn't know where to start.  

So, I asked my friend where he went to church. He told me where he went when he was attending UNH, but that he was currently attending his parent's church.

That Sunday, I put on my best dress and went very early to the church.  My heart was beating in my chest and I was really nervous not knowing what the expect.  I walked into the doors of the downstairs of DEC and instantly I was calm.  This odd feeling came over me and I felt like I was supposed to be there. I hadn't felt that kind of peace in a long time in my life.  It was a bit overwhelming, like how silence can be deafening from time to time. 

I went upstairs into the sanctuary and sat in the very back row.  People smiled and said hello to me but no one asked me any questions or attempted to engage me in conversation-which I was glad for at the time.  As I looked around I realized I felt a little out of place as people started to flood the sanctuary.  I was really over dressed for the occasion. I guess I should have known this since half of the congregation were college students.  I fell in with the other half of older people who had dressed like I had when I was younger.  We always dressed up for church.

As the service started it was then that I realized it was Palm Sunday. I hadn't seen the reeds on my way in because I was so early to the service. A few minutes into service we all started singing Hosanna and the little kids had come up and were waving palms through the sanctuary. I felt myself overwhelmed and started crying, but although I was crying there was still this sense of peace and belonging.  

That Palm Sunday, which was April 13th, 2003 was the beginning of my journey back to God and what has shaped my life since. Every Palm Sunday I tear up thinking of that day and the little kids waving their palms are now mine. 

As a side note, 13 is my favorite number and always has been. Now I guess it has even more significance for me.

I also started to dress more comfortably the next Sunday for Easter and every Sunday after that.  Realizing that God wants to know our hearts, not our clothes. 

Ever wonder about Palm Sunday, here's a cool Explanation of Palm Sunday.

My favorite Palm Sunday song is Shout Hosanna by Passion ft Kristian Stanfill

If you want to know more about Palm Sunday and Easter and want a visual tool I would suggest watching The Passion of the Christ, but make sure you have a box of tissues with you.  Even if you aren't sure you are a believer, this one will tug at your heart strings a lot and if it doesn't then maybe you aren't ready to hear the Good news.

Until next time!  Always in awe of the cross and His sacrifice.

Matthew 21: 7-11
They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”