We lined up in the church lobby — about 100 preschool and elementary school children and the volunteers tasked with keeping them quiet for those few minutes. I pressed my ear to the door, listening for our signal.
Ok, he’s still doing announcements, I thought, wondering how long our pastor was going to talk about Easter service times while these kiddos grew increasingly restless. I made a mental note to bring the kids out a few minutes later during the next service.
As the children’s ministry director at our church, Palm Sunday was one of my most stressful Sundays. It was like a jigsaw puzzle, moving up our own worship time and helping late families get to the right place, trying to estimate how long the beginning of the worship service would last, and then gently suggesting to our pastor that he perhaps make his announcements as concise as possible, despite the million details related to Easter Sunday.
And then there were the palm branches — scheduling their delivery, drying them off, stripping them into smaller pieces, distributing them, convincing second grade boys to stop hitting one another with them, asking four-year-olds to stop chewing on them.
I’m a bit of a control freak. I like things to progress just so and according to plan. I function best under concrete timelines, clear expectations, and certain outcomes.
The Palm Sunday service involved too many moving pieces and too many elements beyond my control; my neck itched, and I wished for a second application of deodorant. I held a finger to my lips and shushed the group one more time. Please no one cry. Please no one have to go to the bathroom. I put my ear to the door again. Is it time?
Suddenly, the guitars picked back up, and there was our cue. The offering baskets began their journey up and down the rows of gray chairs as we opened the heavy sanctuary doors. I put my most enthusiastic volunteers at the front of the lines; we clapped our hands and said, “Wave those palm branches high, guys! It’s time.”
And we sang: Hosanna, hosanna!
Their lap through the sanctuary ended as quickly as it began, and I offered high-fives to each kid on their way out of the sanctuary. We spent the rest of the service learning about that word, “Hosanna,” and the humble King who fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.
But before I guided the little ones back into our normal Sunday routine, I took one last peek into the sanctuary of adults, normally very reserved in their worship. That’s when I saw them: the smiles. And that’s when I heard it: the laughter. And that’s when I felt it: the joy.
To think I almost missed it!
For the people of God, that first Palm Sunday was a celebration. Generation after generation waited for a sign of the promised Messiah. I imagine with every prophecy, shift in the weather, and change of regime and ruler, they wondered: Is that the Messiah? Is it time?
I wouldn’t function well in that long, long waiting. I wonder whether my faith would have withstood the questions and uncertainty. As Jesus rode on a donkey under their canopy of palm leaves, they shouted “Hosanna” and their hearts said, It’s time.
I just barely understand the sweet relief and rapturous celebration of that moment.
I’m not serving in children’s ministry right now; we’ve since moved 1,000 miles away from our old church. I’m home with my 3 year old, 16 month old, and newborn. Right now, we are finishing mortgage paperwork. With three under four and an impending move, it would be easy to get caught up in logistics and timelines and my control freak tendencies. But that’s not how I hope to spend this Easter season.
Instead, I’ll hand my toddlers some palm leaves cut from green construction paper, and when they wake up on Palm Sunday, I’ll tell them, “It’s time!”
And I won’t miss the joy.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
OH!
I have been there in the lobby with you, waiting for the moment, totally losing focus, but then . . .
This piece brings back so many memories of kid-wrangling and being near tears when the little worshipers cut loose and put the glory of God on display in a way that is completely free and unfettered.
For years it was “other people’s kids,” then it was my own kids — this year, for the first time, my tiny grandboy will wave the palms (and have to be told it’s not a light saber), and my heart will be saying “Hosanna” right along with him.
Lindsey Cornett says
Michelle, how special that you’ll get to share that moment with your grandson! I hope it’s a day you’ll both look back on with joy for a long time. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Lindsey,
Echoing Michele’s words – having taught school, preschool, and Sunday school- I chuckled out loud when you said about the 2nd grade boys and the 4 year olds 🙂 But, capture THEIR joy, their excitement, knowing yet not knowing what was really going on….how far removed are we as adults? What must the people have thought back then? A triumphant entry one week, a crucifixion the next? What would I have been like had I been there. I celebrate Jesus on Palm Sunday knowing now what I know, but had I lived back then, would I have been so jubilant? Today, however, I especially praise Jesus on this Sunday. He rode humbly into town, not on a stallion, but on a donkey – knowing full well that in less than a week those shouts of “Hosanna” would turn to “Crucify Him!”. What pure, unadulterated love. A love I can’t even fathom! Now knowing what He knew that Palm Sunday, I praise Him and thank Him. Loved your post!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Lindsey Cornett says
I’m so with you, Bev! It’s hard to imagine Palm Sunday WITHOUT knowing the reality of the crucifixion and this hard season of waiting for Christ’s return, but it would be a totally different ball game. And yes–Jesus already knew the ending but went there anyway, for us. Amazing.
Thanks so much for reading!! xoxo
JK says
Thank you for this reminder. I have a newborn (and 5 and 3 year old) right now, and am caught up in feedings and sleepless nights. I’m anxious for this season to pass so that I can regain control of time, schedules, and my sanity. I need to stop, take it in and see the joy all around me.
Lindsey Cornett says
Oh, JK! I am RIGHT THERE with you. It is such a hard season. My reality is that many, many days, I don’t do such a good job savoring it. I can feel really guilty about it, but I’m so grateful that Jesus’ grace covers even that! Sending lots of that grace your way today, too. xoxo
Beth Williams says
Lindsey,
Oh if only we could get the enthusiasm of children. We get so caught up in perfectionism that we often times miss out on the joy!! I wonder if I lived back then-waiting so long for the promised messiah-if I would be so enthusiastic. I might be about His entry, but seeing His crucifixion and not knowing “the rest of the story” how would I react? Would I run away or cling to the hope that there might be more? Like Bev I can’t fathom loving someone so much to experience ALL the pain and agony on that cross. Dwelling on the cross & seeing Jesus up there makes me cry and yet want to praise Him at the same time. I often ask why me? I don’t deserve your love. Thank you Jesus!!
Blessings 🙂
Lindsey Cornett says
Thank you for reading, Beth!! I totally agree–we’re so undeserving, but I’m so grateful that when God looks at his children, he sees Jesus’ righteousness. So much to be amazed by this Easter season!
KIMBERLY ENGLISH WILLIAMS says
Oh Lindsey, I am pretty sure you are the younger version of me. But unlike you I failed to see the joy. I made sure everyday day that everything was perfect, or appeared to be. Please slow down and cherish this time with your family. As the song says, “Don’t blink.” It goes by all too fast. I wish I had known to slow down and ask our Father for his grace and guidance. I am so thankful for my family and many blessings. I just can’t get that time back with my children. I have so enjoyed this post on this beautiful day. God bless everyone.
Lindsey Cornett says
Hi Kimberly! Thanks so much for all this encouragement. I have to be honest–I don’t manage to see the joy all the time. (I chose “joy” as my word of the year in 2016 because I knew it was a struggle! I don’t know that I did so well with it even then.) But I’m trying, and with Jesus’ help, I think I’m getting there.
Either way–I know you and I can trust Jesus to redeem any missed moments and fill in the gaps for us.
Rebecca L Jones says
Having worked with children myself, and liking things to go smooth I understand. It does give you a new perspective, some days I felt like a cowgirl needing a lasso, but we mustn’t let go of Jesus who is the source of joy.
Lindsey Cornett says
Rebekah, that image of a cowboy with a lasso made me laugh. I could have used a lasso with my boys a couple times today! 🙂
I think Jesus was on to something when he said to have faith like a child! You’re totally right–working with them and seeing things through their eyes totally helps me experience joy more fully.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Marissa Henley says
Thank you for encouraging us to not miss the joy of this week. I appreciate you taking us into that moment years ago and showing us your heart. Just imagine the glorious day when the time comes for Christ’s return and how we’ll say, “It’s time!” 🙂
Lindsey Cornett says
That will be an amazing day, Marissa! Can’t wait. 🙂
Christie says
Bless you as you minister to your little ones and as you are strengthened in Him. The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Blessings on you!
Lindsey Cornett says
Thank you, Christie!
Shauna says
I too am a control freak. Those long days with babies and preschoolers transitioned into grade school/middle school and onward in swift, relentless fashion. There were days I became so frustrated with my sloppy housekeeping instead of taking in the joy; then I worried that I was too much of a control freak and had sabotaged my daughters’ childhood memories with “Mama blown rants”. But a couple of years ago God kept whispering “You’ve done fine. It’s ok. Enjoy the moment.” And for Mother’s Day my kids gave me a spoon rest that said something along the lines of “Good Moms have a messy kitchen and happy kids.”
The waiting is something I struggle with daily. So thankful for God’s grace through his son Jesus. Such an incredible gift.
Lindsey Cornett says
What a special gift from your kiddos! That’s a reminder I need most days, too.
I find that nothing in my life has taught me about God’s grace more than parenting!
Lauren Miller says
I’m late to the game reading this…but I love this, Lindsey! I too get so easily wrapped up in the next thing that needs to be done that it’s easy for me to miss the joy of ‘right now.’