Since today is Palm Sunday, I talk to particularly the moms who are juggling schedules, emotions, piles of laundry, school projects, and the invisible weight of keeping everyone else going. Palm Sunday is most times a celebration with palm branches, songs, and the word Hosanna cried out with joy. But maybe as a mom, you don't really feel like beaming with a happy or good word during this Palm Sunday. After all, you could be so tired, stretched into being in many places at the same time or just overwhelmed to such an extent that you can't think straight. In fact, this is the very reason why this Bible study for moms is designed to give you that little bit of serenity back in your life.

The scripture I will be reading today is special thanks to biblegate.com in the English Standard Version. The scripture is John 12:13, "So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!'”

Palm Sunday may be seen as a happy event however it still has a side that is a little sad. While the people shout their love for Jesus, at the same time He is riding into the city on a donkey with a burden of what is to come. He is aware of his destiny. And that the weight of it is His. That the week will be a difficult time for Him physically mentally spiritually and emotionally. 

Hey moms, that sounds like your story, right? You are the one who carries a load so heavy and no one is able to see you. Even when you really don't want to go any further you get up and you keep walking. You even show up for your children when mentally you are hurting, emotionally you are bare, and physically you have nothing left to give. What Jesus did on Palm Sunday was to demonstrate in a special way that He is familiar with the kind of burden that we bear. Jesus who bears our burdens, is the One who can help us carry and walk through the most difficult of circumstances. Also the word that the crowd was shouting Hosanna is not just a word for "praise." In this case it should be taken as "Lord, save us." These were actually the people who were shouting to Jesus to help them. They needed divine strength to take the load off their backs. And this may be the cry that is coming from your heart as well.

So what does this mean for you, mom? Palm Sunday wasn't clean it was loud, messy, unfiltered. I mean think about it Jesus was riding a donkey. Carrying weight? He's seen it. Hands worn down, heart full, He appears then. Jesus walked through His hardest week with courage and mercy. You don't need to be clean or perfect to reach Him. So He see your hard weeks, the ones that stretch on without end, where breathing feels impossible. He listens. And His answer is love. 

Jesus, thank You for Palm Sunday and the truth that You walk into our mess. Help every mom who feels drained or stretched, whisper Your peace into her heart. Give her strength for the days ahead. Let her spirit rest. Help her lift her eyes back to you. Amen.

Thank you for listening to Head Above Water today. Remember, Jesus can still bless your mess.