It’s a Holy Week Unlike Any Other

It’s Holy Week, and I honestly can’t think of anyone I’d prefer to live in the house with for the past 42 days, ten hours, and 18 minutes than my husband. We haven’t even had our first disagreement yet. (Although, there are a few issues with communication since he refuses to wear a hearing aid.

Everything is so different this year.

I try to remember back to Easter as a kid.

That’s tough because my childhood ended rather abruptly when the abuse started during my seventh year.

I do remember a few years before the darkness entered.

Mother always took me to Younkers in Iowa City to get my new Easter dress.

The colors were always beautiful pastels, covered in ribbons and lace.

Holy Week heralded the end of the dark shoes we wore all winter.

We were finally able to wear our brand new white shoes and white gloves to church.

Mom pinned a colored flower to our clothes, proving to the congregation she wasn’t dead yet!

Ash Wednesday found us in church.

Maundy Thursday was another opportunity to prove ourselves worthy in the sanctuary.

Good Friday was always sad for me. The church was filled with significant gaps of silence as we recreated the Stations of the Cross.

The turkey was put in the oven before we headed to church services on Sunday.

Grandma and Grandpa came to stay with us during Holy Week. Undoubtedly, that was one of the best parts of the week.

The Challenges

I have to admit I eyed the charcoal grill on Wednesday, knowing there were ashes in there.

God would understand.

Today is Thursday.

As I look around my kitchen, I realize we’re in good shape when it comes to red wine.

Bread is another matter.

For Holy Week, 2020, Ritz crackers are going to have to work.

God will understand

There have been no big storms, so there are no tree branches in the yard to fashion a holy cross.

And yet, nothing will prevent me from visiting the Stations of the Cross tomorrow. He will know that three have gathered: Himself, my husband, and me. It’s all good!

Matthew 18:20 King James Version (KJV)

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

2020 Brings No Easter Egg Hunts

We have grocery delivery, and I cherish those who help protect us.

The problem now is that we have to wait an entire week for the delivery.

Even then, I have no idea how many of the items I ordered will be delivered.

I will offer a large tip to our shopper to encourage that commitment for our friends and neighbors.

But life is so different this year.

The Kleenex is gone, so I’m rationing myself to four squares of TP to blow my nose.

Unfortunately, the bread is down to one slice and one heel.

I find I’m using half the amount of toothpaste I usually use.

Our stores are totally out of yeast.

How will my husband survive without the famous Christmas/Easter sweetbread?

I have a tiny chicken in the freezer. That little clone of a cornish hen will have to suffice for Easter dinner.

In the egg department, I have four eggs remaining. There will be deviled eggs!!

The two slices of bread and three hamburger buns could work for dressing. But that would cost me two additional meals.

One clump of grapes remains as our fruit for this holiday.

 

Holy Week Holds The Promise of Everlasting Life

Yes, this Holy Week is so much different from years past.

Our kids weren’t able to come to visit this year.

The grandkid’s Easter gifts sit here on the window seat.

At least the internet is filled with projects the kids can do at home.

There are no trips to the drugstore to pick up Easter cards.

The big ham dinner with my brother and his wife is canceled.

Our dogs hate their new dog food, and it will be at least a week before I can get a replacement.

But, the one thing I know for sure is that God’s love showers us every single day.

He didn’t create this mess.

Quite the opposite. God holds us up as we walk through the tangled mess we find ourselves in today.

So, regardless of where you are or what you are doing this Holy Week, rejoice in the gift God gave us all. Remember that we are all his children and he weeps with us.

Do one good thing for another during this Easter holiday. It’s the foundation of who we are and why each of us matters so much in His eyes.

We pray for families who have lost so much in the past few weeks. We also pray for those who will continue to suffer in the days ahead.