Have you ever been around a young child when they get upset over something and start begging their mom or dad to “make it stop”? It’s pitiful isn’t it? It’ll break your heart sometimes.

The truth is I get that way A LOT. I’ll get emotionally overwhelmed and I look at Jason and say “we have to stop talking about this, I literally can’t think about it anymore.” And now there’e this pandemic! It’s like the hits just keep coming and we don’t even have time to stand up in between. Do you get that way sometimes? Feeling like you just can’t catch a break?

I think as Christians it’s important to remember that Christ, while perfect, was also human. God isn’t a puppet master. He sent his son (parents let that sink in) to die for us. He listened to him beg for another way. The night before his crucifixion Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Oh My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me". He knew fear. When he walked out and found his closest friends couldn’t even stay awake to support Him, He said, “couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour?” He knew frustration. Jesus knew isolation and loneliness more than we can ever comprehend.

I have spent a lot of time begging God to please, please not make me go through this. THIS - being any number of difficult things that I’ve dealt with in the past, and I know that I will continue to beg Him to “let this cup pass from me”.

But after Jesus vented his frustration and spent more time in prayer, He accepted what He had to do, because then He said, "if this cup cannot pass away from me unless I drink it, Your will be done."

Obviously we are NOT Jesus, not even close. I still think it helps to understand that He knows exactly what we are going through. He has felt it, experienced it, and gave us a model of the best way to work through these hard things that we have to do in life. Vent to trusted friends, pray to our God & regroup with focus on doing what is right and necessary to get through the next thing.

It’s Palm Sunday this weekend and we are entering Holy Week isolated from one another. It’s ok to be sad. It’s ok to be frustrated and scared with all that is happening in the world. Find a trusted friend and vent it out. Write it down or scream it at your steering wheel if that’s what it takes. Then head to your Gethsemane. Find a quiet place to be with God and let him help you refocus.

It’s not always easy to figure out what the next best step is, and sometimes when we figure it out we aren’t going to like it. But ya’ll - we can get through it.

SO, YEAH. I wrote this Thursday (4/2) planning to share it on Friday(4/3). Then the Governor extended the closing of non-essential businesses to include mine and I got a little frantic. I vented to my husband. I said a prayer, and I’ve regrouped. Who knew I would need my own advice so soon! After today our store will be 100% online until the governor gives us permission to reopen. It’s a new reality for most of us, but my business isn’t the only one. During this time if you are still financially able to support your favorite local businesses please look to see how you can do that online. They are probably announcing all of their changes on Facebook and their websites for you and they need you now more than ever! As always thanks for your support and remember to be nice! Try to make someone’s day today.