Hi friends,
I feel blessed to be with you today. With the pandemic and crisis surrounding us, I’m glad you took the time to visit with me today. I took time away from watching the news and from fear, perhaps, or weariness. I have to admit, I’ve been filled with fear a lot and fear is exhausting. I’ve been sleeping way more than normal and while I do have several autoimmune disorders and they cause fatigue, what I’ve been experiencing for weeks now is different. It’s what I envision when people say, ‘tired to my bone.’ Tired to my soul sums it up better for me. I’ve been praying and clinging to hope, but hope born out of fear is not hope. Hope is the gift of grace. The gift Jesus died to give us this week two thousand years ago.
I’ve found tremendous comfort in walking the steps Jesus took this week, following each day of Holy Week or the Passion Week in the Bible. What’s interesting is today is referred to as ‘Silent Wednesday.’ No doubt much was happening, but the day isn’t recorded for us in Scripture as far as I can find. Still, I can’t help but wonder how the Lord spent this day. Was it, perhaps, a day of stillness and quiet communion with His Father. Did He teach His disciples one more truth before His time on earth was about to end? Words to fill them with courage and hope, words of grace? As it’s not in Scripture none of us can say, but as I approach each day this week I’ve been reading the coordinating Scripture and then finding a sermon on those verses on Truth for Life with Alistair Begg.
I’ve been listening to Truth for Life sermons daily since I homeschooled my girls. Every day we would get up and would have “Breakfast with Begg.” We’d eat our breakfast while listening to Begg preach. We’d have our Bibles open and take notes. We all learned so much, I continue the practice to this day. Today I am practicing stillness with God. The Gospels record Jesus going off to pray, to have time alone with His Father. I’m taking time today to sit at the foot of the Cross and to praise the Lord for saving a sinner like me.
Reader Question:
How are you following Jesus’ footprints this week? Do you have any Holy Week traditions? How will you be celebrating Easter?
I know Easter will be quite different this year. We won’t be able to attend church or worship together in the same building. We may be far from loved ones or close but it’s safer to stay away while we’re under “Shelter In Place” precautions. But the beautiful thing is that Jesus is still Lord, He still died for our sins, by grace and repentance we are His forever and nothing—not even Covid19 catches God off guard. He is in control and we can find shelter and refuge in His hands.
May God bless you this week as you celebrate the atoning sacrifice of His Son.
In Christ,
Dani
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Your term “Silent Wednesday” immediately brought to mind the verse “Be still and know that I am God” closely followed by “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” For me, knowing that God has this in hand because i know He is God gives me the peace and rest only He can provide.
Rest is a complex word. It has multiple meanings one of which is to “cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength”. But it also means “Be based on or grounded in; depend on.” or “place hope, trust or confidence on or in”. Both meanings are grounded in God and His unending grace towards us.
All from Oxford Dictionary. It makes for an interesting word study
Hi Marie,
Thanks so much for sharing! Love the definitions and how both meanings are grounded in God.
Thank you. Prayers for you and yours…❤️
Hi Mart,
Thanks so much for dropping by and for your prayers. They are very much appreciated.
Thank you for this wonderful message. It’s good to realize that quiet and silence are an important part of rest and rejuvenation. One of my favorite hymns is “Be Still My Soul”.
One of the things I plan to do is watch “The Passion of the Christ”.
Praying for you at this time. Happy Easter!
Hi Betty,
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard that hymn. Going to look it up now. Yes! Watching “The Passion of the Christ” is such a heart-wrenching, deeply meaningful portrayal of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behave and the glory we have waiting for us with the risen Christ.
Thank so much for your prayers. Happy Easter!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us today, Dani. We all struggle with fear and worry – but I love the remedy you prescribe – sit at the foot of the cross. It reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus described Martha as being “worried and upset about many things” and encouraged her to make a better choice. To leave the worries and join Mary in the place of peace, at Jesus’s feet. Things still need to get done, and we still need to have a plan for functioning in this world of pandemic, but we also need to carve out time to sit at Jesus’s feet. To listen to his wisdom and bask in his love. Exactly as you said so beautifully.
Awww. So glad you enjoyed the post, Karen. It definitely brings to mind Mary and Martha. Praying for you and yours. Have a blessed Easter.
Thanks so much for your post today. It is a very trying time in our society but God knows exactly what is happening and is with us every step of the way if we know Him and trust in Him. Bless you and your family.
Amen!
Silent Wednesday makes a lot of sense. So much happens in the days following, to have that stillness in preparation is good.
I enjoyed listening to the video–thanks for sharing.
Have a Blessed Easter!
Hi Denise,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. Have a Happy Easter, friend!
Every morning I say second Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 16 through 18.
WE DO NOT LOSE HEART
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary the troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we look not the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen.
DANI PETTREY
Thank you for being open with your feelings. It encourages others. Would love to hear a reply from you. Love Lynn Austins books and all the authors she recommends. Thanks To you all, because of Christ we have the joy of each other. I have a non-malignant brain tumor, this is giving me more time to read and it has been such a great comfort.