Meet Hailey Peters. We have been praying for over the last six weeks during her stay at Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
Hailey just quietly moved to Our Children's House Dallas where she will begin more intensive physical therapy. Hailey is one of the strongest people I know. In a culture where strength is too often defined by dominating power of all kinds, Hailey stubbornly defies our definitions and expectations. Like the last years' #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements, Hailey's strength has been quiet, unassuming, unexpected, determined perseverance ... and we are all richer for her witness.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 11:1-11) Jesus enters Jerusalem, he does so with little fanfare. Matthew has "crowds" and Luke has "multitudes," as in the coronation of a king. Mark's version is much quieter; intentionally portraying the quiet strength of the Jesus who is coming. He does not make any bold proclamations; he does not immediately overturn tables. He simply surveys the Temple and goes off to rest and to wait ... expectantly.
We come to Palm Sunday and Easter hoping for a lot of fanfare. Perhaps what we need is something else - a quiet strength and hope beyond our own. Look to Hailey; look to Jesus; stay in prayer.
See YOU in worship this Sunday,
Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor