Palms, Passover, and a Little Bit of Easter Peace

While we enjoy Easter for Easter eggs, hot cross buns, fish, perhaps lamb, and gathering with family and friends, there is a bit more to it than that.

Today is Palm Sunday. For those of you who are churchgoers, or just celebrate a traditional Christian Easter, you know it marks the start of Holy Week and the end of Lent. It’s a joyful day.

It was the day Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey for Passover.

Passover and Easter are usually close together. However, 2024 is a leap year, and that has thrown everything a little out of whack so Passover doesn’t start until April 22nd and goes through to April 30th.

Jesus was a Jew and Passover is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

If you’d like a good simple overview about the meaning of Passover and the importance of it to the Jewish community, here is excellent article..

The Meaning of Passover… from the Country Life ma gazine website

On Palm Sunday, the celebrating people laid down their cloaks and small branches of palm trees in front of Jesus, singing part of Psalm 118: 25–26..

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. “

Jesus was welcomed and honoured by the people, and Palm Sunday is a reminder for us to welcome Jesus into our lives and honour Him.

To enter into the joy of the day, Peter and I do a little Easter decorating in preparation for the Easter weekend but also as a reminder each day this week that it is Holy week.

Being Grateful

It’s a great week to set aside some time each day to acknowledge what we can be thankful for, despite life’s challenges, especially despite chronic illness.

I love Easter as much as Christmas. For me, Easter is more relaxing and more reflective than Christmas…..just what I need at the moment as life continues to throw so many curveballs our way health wise.

At the moment, I’m grateful that Autumn in Australia is starting to roll in. It’s a cool morning here, and dripping rain can be heard outside my window. There is no need for air-conditioning, just beautiful fresh air, and I couldn’t be more grateful! We have had such a hot and humid summer that I need this wonderful change.

There is Something I’ll Always be Grateful For

No matter what is going on in my life, there is always a constant certainty….

A cup of tea fixes everything!

There is something strangely calming about putting on the kettle, taking out a pretty china cup or mug, anticipating sitting in a comfy chair, and slowly sipping this hot delight.

It may be coffee or another beverage for you, but the idea remains the same.

I’ve always been an avid tea drinker but since becoming chronically ill, I seem to need it through an IV line!

So is it the actual drink, the ritual of making it, or the simple act of breaking the pain cycle, whether physical or mental pain, which causes a cuppa to create a feeling of joyful anticipation? I think it’s a bit of all of those reasons.

I’m sure there will be tea in heaven. I certainly hope so!!

Look after yourselves, and let’s use today and this Easter season to count our blessings and focus on what we are grateful for, despite chronic disease.

All my love

Sam xx

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