As I ponder our Lord's journey to the cross, I am overwhelmed with emotion. Remembering once again the love that compelled Him, with the weight of the cross upon His back, to stumble up Calvary's hill to endure an excruciating death for me, for you, I am washed anew with a grateful heart and a stronger desire to serve Him with everything in me.
To keep our focus on Holy Week, along with the study of God's Word, Hubby and I plan to watch a few old movies, "Ben Hur," "The Ten Commandments," and Friday night, "The Passion of Christ." True enough, Hollywood isn't a good substitute for His Word--so by all means, study His journey to the cross in the Bible--but the movies are another way to help us remember.
Sometimes we brush aside familiar stories and neglect to take the time to remember what they truly mean to our lives. Life gets busy and distracting. With all the chocolate bunnies and baskets it's easy to gloss over Easter and miss the blessing of it all. I encourage each of you to pause this week and reflect on what God has done for you through the sacrifice of His Son.
Please feel free to share if you have any ideas that might help the rest of us keep our focus on Holy Week.
I don't know when something has moved me as much as watching Susan make one last grab for the brass ring--and catch it. It was a great reminder to me of how God has such great plans for us and we often don't have the courage to TRY. I didn't start writing until I was nearly 40 and my first book didn't sell until I was 45 or so--very near to Susan's age--so I SO identify with her. Even now, 12 years after making the first sale, it seems so surreal that God would give me the desires of my heart.
And Susan's experience was such a great reminder not to look on the outside. God looks on the inside and sees just what we're capable of with his help. Susan seemed a very ordinary, middle-aged woman who would have a mediocre voice at best instead of the pure angelic one that poured from her throat. I've watched that video at least 10-15 times and get chills every time. I'll buy her album when it comes out too, and I've never even paid much attention to American Idol and who wins or loses there. But there is something special about Susan. Maybe it's because her voice translates her heart. She cared for her mother for years and never married. God doesn't ignore that kind of sacrificial spirit.
In watching the CBS interview above, it's clear she's uncomfortable with the attention which endeared her all the more to me. She's real, humble and sweet. I bet one of the thoughts she had as the emotions swept over her when it was over was, "I wish my mother were here to see this." She so exemplifies the power of a dream. God bless you, Susan Boyle, for inspiring a world! May your tribe increase.
What about you? What's the dream you haven't followed?
P. S. If you're like me and want to know more about her, here are more interviews:
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.
Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
How do you reflect upon Holy Week?
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