I remember as a young kid, Palm Sunday was a reminder that Easter was only a week away. It was like celebrating Christmas Eve. You walk into church and they give you a palm leaf to pin to yourself. I didn’t understand the level of significance of Palm Sunday too well, I was just excited to get the palm leaf and participate.
This Palm Sunday is a different level of meaning for me. We are in a different time. For most of us Christians, it’s a struggling time of life where we are not able to worship with our brothers and sisters. Easter is just a week away, and we’re seeking strength in how to celebrate and honor this important holiday. I tuned in to a few online church services this morning, and one of the messages inspired me when the preacher said ‘provision is found in the approach, not the retreat.’ We have been encouraged to retreat into our homes, and that led to some of us to retreat in our mind and spirit as well. However, the pastor reminded me now is the time more than ever not to retreat, but be encouraged and find the endurance to continue to move forward just as Jesus did on a donkey into Jerusalem. He knew his fate. But he also understood his purpose.
Yesterday, I was given a book by my grandmother, Ida Mae Jackson, written around 60 years ago. Nana was one of the wisest people I have ever known. Her voice alone brought peace no matter if she was happy or angry. Her laugh was contagious. But her words were always on point and on time. I could listen to her speak all day. She was always inspiring and encouraging.
This book, “For this One Hour,” is all of that. She wrote this during a difficult time of her life to keep her encouraged. I thank my auntie for sharing these unpublished words with the family. It brought to light to me that my gift was encouraged by my grandfather, but was passed on to me from my grandmother.
Throughout my adult life, I always look for opportunities to inspire, encourage, motivate, or provide a platform to lift others. This pandemic has tested my ability to continue what I feel is my purpose. For a moment, I set it aside and fell in line with the rest of the ‘sheep’ and sat around the house and worked just enough to qualify as being productive.
Last week, I decided to change my perception and my actions and found some inspiration and the ability to pivot and continue my path. I don’t want to be a ‘sheep.’ Why fit in when you’re born to stand out?!
This book, however, put me in reflection mode. It’s been five years since she’s passed, and I miss her so much still. Auntie reminded me of the times I traveled around the country (on the road, not by air, because Papa didn’t like flying) to all the Laymen and Baptist conferences and conventions. As I think more about those experiences, they were one of the best experiences of my life. I saw my grandparents’ passion and purpose and so eager to share and pass on to me. Not even to be evangelical, but they saw more in me than I saw in myself. They wanted to be sure that I lived the same way; with passion and with purpose. I’m so grateful for those moments. I’m so blessed to have a Nana and Papa in my life who continuously strived to bring light to those around them.
On this Palm Sunday, I encourage you to be a light to those around you. There are many who are fearful. Many who have lost their jobs or fear they may be next. Some are living in panic. Some are depressed, lonely, and are struggling during a time of isolation. These people need to know there’s hope, there’s a light at the end of this dark tunnel. Keep the faith and instill faith in them.
In the chapter of We Can Be Optimistic, she writes:
“Promise yourself to be too large to worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”
