Monday, 02 April 2012
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A Necessary Pause: Reflecting on Holy Week
By Sharon at SheWorships
I spent a good chunk of my day yesterday researching some questions raised by my last few posts on modesty. I found a lot of great answers in Scripture and Christian tradition, and I look forward to sharing them here. I had actually planned to post some of those thoughts today, but last night I realized that I need to pause for a moment and do something more important first.
This week has been an incredible week for Ike and me. God answered a LOT of big prayers in a short period of time. One is related to Ike’s doctoral work, and while it is a very long story that I won’t go into here, let’s just say that God has been orchestrating some awesome stuff behind the scenes that we never would have anticipated. He was making Ike’s path straight and opening doors that we didn’t know could be opened, and we are praising Him for it.
We also found out this past week that we are having a baby boy, which is awesome news in and of itself, but the bigger answer to prayer was the news that the baby is healthy. Before every major ultrasound I become very anxious about what we will learn, so it was a relief and a joy to learn that our son is healthy as a horse!
In addition to these good things, God has answered a number of “smaller” prayers, and last night as I reflected on His goodness I was overwhelmed by His faithfulness. I don’t know if this pregnancy has simply enhanced my prayer life so that I am going to God more often in prayer, or if I am simply paying more attention to the answers, but He has been unbelievably good to us. Our cups are running over.
So on this Palm Sunday as we enter into Holy Week and remember the triumphant entry of Christ, I want to pause and offers thanks to God. He is good and He is worthy of our praise.
Holy Week is sobering as we remember that the same people who waved celebratory palm fronds later jeered at Jesus’ crucifixion. And yet this sobering look at human nature is also a reason to praise God. I am so thankful that God’s love for me is determined first and foremost by His faithfulness, not mine.
I am a fickle-hearted woman who is slow to trust and quick to doubt. I do not surrender my all, I take my sin lightly, and I forget to thank Him. But He is still here and He is still good. He still hears my prayers and answers my cries. He has shown me mercy when I did not deserve it, and He continues to sanctify me so that I can love Him and serve Him the way that I desire.
So today is all about thanking God and praising Him. God has been abundantly good to the Millers, and we would be remiss not to express our thanks publicly. Praise be to God!!
Psalm 105:1-3
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
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About the Author
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- From: sheworships
- Name: Sharon
- About Me: Sharon Hodde Miller is a North Carolina girl, born and raised! She is originally from Charlotte, NC, and she received her undergraduate degree and Masters of Divinity from Duke University. Sharon has worked for Proverbs 31 Ministries where she was a contributing writer to the ministry’s daily devotions and radio broadcasts. She has written for Relevant Magazine’s online articles, Lifeway’s Collegiate Magazine, Ungrind Webzine, and she continues to write and minister to women all over the world about being a Christian woman in an ever-changing culture. Sharon currently lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, who is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. If you would like to contact her regarding a speaking or writing opportunity, if you have any questions, or would like to submit a blog topic, please e-mail her at sharon(at)sheworships(dot)com.
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Comments (3)
Praise God for a healthy little guy. Our grandson arrived 7 months ago, and we have done more work than I ever remember doing as a parent, but golly, he's a sweetie. Yet, I find myself feeling non trusting, and feeling ever so sorry for myself, when God has been responsible for all the good that has happened in our lives. Even throughout 3 autoimmune disorders, God has richly blessed me with a wonderful family, and a wonderful church family that calls me to think and give pause during Lent. This week our church will be having a soup night, with choir music, and prayer stations for those in need of God's grace. What a wonderful way to live, and oh how I should be on my knees daily in thanks. By the way, people are naming their children "different" names nowadays, and our grand baby was named Ryder Alexander. And after all that, and after a whole family who doesn't believe in nick names, what do you think we call him? Gizzel. Good heavens.
@Pollypinks@xanga - and God also blessed you with three autoimmune diseases????? I have some news for you ---- this is the 21st century - stone age gods and their mythological stories do not exist - you baby is well because of modern medicine devoid of the Christian idea that disease is caused by sin.
Did I say God blessed me with my diseases? Maybe, maybe not. My personal beliefs are universal, so the notion of original sin and atonement isn't really backed up by scripture. 600 years ago, when the vatican got ahold of the Bible and removed all Greek meanings of life hereafter, we saw a resurgence in hell. If God is perfect, omnipotent, all loving and knowing, why would he create 3/4 of his children to burn in hell? It baffles me why fundamentalist ministers choose to ignore those texts that take umbrage with such beliefs. I did say God was responsible for the good in my life, and if that makes my days go a little better, it should not concern you.