Prairie Pastoral

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Books I’m Reading
  • Good Stuff

April 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Monday of Holy Week: the dog peed on the backpack

Our dog peed on (really into) my son’s backpack some time over the weekend.  We discovered it as we were pulling out of the driveway to head to school.  

“Mom,” Karl said. “Smell this.”  Never a good sign.

Back into the house we went to unpack and sanitize what we could, transfer the contents of his bag, and throw the stinky backpack in the washing machine.  

Happy Holy Monday.

I am unusually grateful today that the events we remember this week, leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection, are not reliant upon me.

“Jesus said, ‘You now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one can take from you.’” (John 16:22)

All I have to do is see Jesus. I don’t have to have my act together.  The backpack can get peed on, tempers can flare, work can consume, feet can ache, but all I have to do is look at Jesus.  Just look.

And my heart will rejoice.  And my joy won’t be taken away from me.

William Barclay wrote, “The joy the world gives is at the mercy of the world. The joy which Christ gives is independent of anything the world can do.” (The New Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John, Volume Two, p. 231)

It gets harder to look at 

Jesus as this week continues.  Gazing upon the cross is difficult when His body hangs there, but that’s all the more reason to keep looking and keep remembering. Without such sacrifice, our joy would depend on us.  Without such sacrifice, the world wins.

Happy Holy Monday, everyone.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, and keep your backpacks off the floor.

Gospel of John, Holy Week, Parenting Tagged: backpack, Holy Monday, joy, Karl

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This is the day that
the Lord has made;
let us rejoice
and be glad in it.

– Psalm 118:24

Rev. Dr. MJ Romano

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Advent
  • Angels
  • Christmas
  • Church
  • Courage
  • Criticism
  • Deception
  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism
  • Family
  • Fear
  • God
  • Gospel of John
  • Gospel of Luke
  • Holy Week
  • Hope
  • Jesus Christ
  • Leadership
  • Legacy
  • Lent
  • Marriage
  • Old Testament
  • Parenting
  • Praise
  • Prayer
  • Predestination
  • Psalms
  • Racism
  • Remembrance
  • Repentance
  • Sacraments
  • Small town
  • Social media
  • Spiritual maturity
  • Suffering
  • Teenagers
  • Time
  • Trust
  • Truth
  • Uncategorized

Connect with MJ

Subscribe to Pastor MJ's Blog

Stay up-to-date with the latest posts delivered right to your inbox.

Join 361 other subscribers

Archives

Bible Verse of the Day

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:37
DailyVerses.net
LaJunta Presbyterian Church

Copyright © 2021 Rev. Dr. MJ Romano · Site design and setup by The Design Diva · Log in