April 7 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Everyday Grief 

For many years I have read Mark’s account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11) on Palm Sunday.  What an exciting time! Crowds of people streaming into Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover.  Was Lazarus there with Mary and Martha, his sisters?  After all he had just been raised from the dead so naturally one would think that they were part of the crowd - who wouldn't want to hear his story.  The buzz of excitement was in the air.

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt and heard the shouts of Hosanna (from Hebrew Hosha na "Please! Save! [us]), I wonder about his thoughts and if he considered this a 'triumphal entry'. I think he may have been more inclined to shed tears of sorrow. I think his heart was in pain as he rode through the parade in his honor knowing that the kingdom of military dominance and power that they were seeking was not his to give. I think his heart grieved for those hopeful crowds along the road who were tired, hungry, confused, oppressed, beaten down by the Roman domination.  His heart must have been heavy with sorrow and compassionate love for them. 

Christ was no stranger to grief and neither are we. Maybe you are like me and sometimes losses stack up so deep you can hardly see over them. Everyday grief and losses accumulate - even the small ones and that grief can become a heavy weight. Suffering over loss is not confined to death or the worst circumstances we can imagine. Grief takes many forms - maybe you can't make your rent payment or are struggling with depression or addiction. Maybe you just can't seem to regain your health or drag yourself out of bed in the morning. Maybe you are lonely or you have no one to talk with that you trust. Perhaps it isn't even your grief that causes the pain. Grief is frustrating and confusing and we may deal with it awkwardly, imperfectly and angrily. Or we may not deal with it at all. 

So what can we do in the face of this everyday grief? In this past 18 months I have experienced more lasses and mourned more than in my previous 72 years. Perhaps some insights I have gained from others that offered me the comfort and courage to move forward will strengthen you :  

• Acknowledge that these griefs are real (no matter how small and inconsequential you think they are) and that God sees them. 
• Surrender to the process of life and recovery by letting yourself wholly grieve your losses and release your grief into Gods hands.
• Cry. It relieves stress, produces endorphins and can help you explore your emotions. When my husband died I learned that it is possible to cry in public and talk through my tears. :) 
• Develop a daily habit of reading God's word or a daily devotional. Spend time daily in prayer. 
• Involve others - sometimes just getting up and going where other people are like the grocery store can offer a respite. 

Sometimes we can't understand.  But that is okay. Just because we don't understand God doesn't mean that we can't have faith. Comfort does not come in knowing all the answers but in knowing that we don’t have to.  Jesus comes to you not in judgment but humbly on a donkey, offering life to you.

Hosanna! Today God, help me open myself to the process of grieving my losses that I experience daily. Grant me the grace to grieve honestly and to feel the depths of my emotions. Help me to release my pain, anger and confusion to you. Raise me up from despair into hope.  

Link to Bible verses: Mark 11