This photo is from Revs. Courtney and Dan Randall from Ireland. They posted it on social media last week and I loved the way the daffodils seem to be fighting to face the sun, despite the obvious wind and chill. It is a fitting analogy for Holy Week and for my own life. Even when storms are raging, or we are going through difficult times, we can turn to face God's sun (or Son).

On Tuesday morning, my children and I woke up to my house at 58 degrees. My 7-year-old pointed out that we would find that warm, if we lived in Siberia. Yes, dear boy, but we do NOT live there, and my toes are tiny ice blocks. The kids then spent the week with their dad, while I got two estimates and signed an expensive contract to replace my entire HVAC system and water heater. It was tough to have the family routines disrupted during a High Holy holiday, and to stress about the financing, but God provided such incredible support and blessing for me. I was taken in by a family who loves me, fed food so delicious it made me cry, snuggled endlessly by precious pups, and given the chance to ask for and receive help. This morning, when I awoke to my warm house filled with my children's giggles and impromptu dance parties, I was reminded how blessed I truly am.

Perhaps you are different from me, but I MUCH prefer helping someone else to asking for help. It is far easier to focus on someone else and what I can do for them than to acknowledge my own needs or shortcomings, and request support. That is the blessing and curse in community, isn't it? How lovely to know we are not alone! How troubling to admit that we are not all-powerful, able to handle all things, or really even in control!

I promised you something special on Maundy Thursday, and if you click my photo above, you'll see what I livestreamed to Facebook last night.

It is NOT what I was hoping or planning to share, but it was honest, raw and all I had to offer. I hope this doesn't surprise or disappoint you, but... your Pastor is just a real person, doing the best she can, sometimes succeeding gloriously (like Simon Peter, the Rock!) and sometimes stumbling, falling or failing miserably (again, like that same guy Simon Peter). I appreciate that you accept my humanity, and choose to love me and Christ Church anyway. Our staff and I do the same for you - welcome and meet you where you are, blessing you on your best days and on your worst. This life is better together, and there is hope to be found: like flowers standing defiantly in strong wind, or dogs bounding excitedly through a snowstorm. If you want to watch something more entertaining than my link, click this one from Joan Foster to see her pups running towards hope (even through deep... snow)! We can do this, friends!