• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

March 24, 2016

When You Don’t Feel Easter-y

I was determined this week that I would write words to you which are very spiritual and very uplifting and very Easter-y. I would tell you about what Holy Week means to me and how I’ve spent it in God’s word and doing all kind of resurrection crafts with my children and then they listened to me with unwavering attention as I read the story from scripture.

But, as I sit here staring at a blank page in front of me, I’m struck by the fact that it hasn’t really felt like that holy of a week to me. It’s felt like spring break. My kids are out of school and we’re sleeping in and hanging out with friends and binge watching the Kids Baking Championship which has then led to quite a bit of our own baking sessions. I wish you could smell the blueberry muffins my son and I just made!

blueberry muffins in a spring vignette

But waking up this morning I had this nagging feeling that I was missing something. Wasn’t this week supposed to feel like…well…more? Wasn’t it supposed to be more reverent and more ‘set aside’? Wasn’t I supposed to be feeling sorrowful as I think about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? Feeling it way down deep in my soul and allowing it to change the way I approach each day this week leading up to the glorious time of celebrating His resurrection?

Can I experience Holy Week when I’m not feeling very holy?

And friends, the more I’ve thought about it, the more I think the answer to that question is ‘yes’. Because here’s the thing. My relationship with Jesus cannot be condensed into one week. It doesn’t suddenly become stronger and more vibrant around Christmas and Easter. And I’ve spent too many years feeling guilty when I’ve found myself sitting in church on Good Friday trying to conjure up emotions that for whatever reason simply would not come. I’ve spent too much time thinking that it must be a reflection of a shallowness in my faith.

Because I know that’s not true.

I know that this past year has been filled with moments between me and my Savior that are too sacred to even try and explain. Ones where I have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was giving me His words when I had none of my own. When He was pouring strength into me when I was completely empty. When the words of the Bible became more real to me than ever before. When He revealed the truth of His love for me through gentle whispers which could only have come from Him. I believe that the enemy of my soul wants me to question the fact that I’m not feeling extra emotions this week. I think he wants to use my deep, gut-wrenching need to please and to want people to know just how solid I am in my faith to trick me into believing that it’s a reflection of how much I’m lacking.

Oswald Chambers (of course) describes it best:

“Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby.”

 So often we believe the lie that there is nothing holy about the shallow end. There are entire worship songs dedicated to going into the deep waters with God but I think we might all squirm in our pews if we saw the word ‘shallow’ pop up on the screen in a song on Sunday morning. We have been led to believe that honoring Christ’s birth or death or resurrection has to look a certain way.

We have to have BIG feelings, BIG thoughts, BIG revelations.

Spring mantel decorating with a stone cross atthepicketfence.com

For me, it’s similar to the feeling I have on my birthday. Or should I say the non-feeling. When we’re children, there is so much anticipation and excitement leading up to our special day. The minute we open our eyes we just feel the difference in that day, the special-ness of it. And I don’t know about you, but I do NOT have that same feeling on my birthdays now that I’m an adult. Those days mostly feel like every other day with maybe the slight exception of (hopefully!) not having to make dinner and getting to have my favorite dessert afterwards. But, that’s ok. Because, as an adult, I know that one day out of the year doesn’t define me. I know that this one day out of the year isn’t my only opportunity to feel loved.

 1 Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I acted like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

As we grown in our faith, we should come to a place where although we follow the Lord with childlike faith, we live for Him with maturity.

The reality is that on our faith journey we will experience great moments of depth. Times when we are taken to new levels in our relationship with God. And sometimes those will occur in conjunction with the special days we celebrate as Christians. Sometimes we will feel all of the feelings about Christmas and Easter.

But, I think it’s safe to say, that a great deal of our faith journey will be spent in the shallow. I want my kids to know that a solid foundation in Christ is built day by day, minute by minute. It’s not wrapped up in a holiday. Yes, we will honor this time. Yes, as a family we will reflect on it’s meaning and talk about it with our children. But we will not pressure them to feel certain feelings about it. We will not have expectations of there being some sort of divine revelation during the Easter service.

Instead, I will do what I do every day. I will pray that they will know how very much they are loved by their Heavenly Father and that depth will be added to their love of Him and their understanding of His character and will in their lives. I will pray that He will give me the wisdom and the grace and the strength to be the mother they need me to be. And I will pray that the message of Holy week will be real to them all year long.

Thank you so much for meeting me at the Fence today,

Vanessa signature

16 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Easter, Faith, Good Thoughts, Spring Tagged With: devotional, Faith

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Plum Tart with Puff Pastry
Next Post: A Stroll Through the Garden »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy Brown says

    March 24, 2016 at 2:55 AM

    Very well said, Vanessa! Happy Easter!

    Reply
  2. mary says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:09 AM

    Vanessa, you obviously spoke from your heart and your sincerity in your faith is evident. I especially appreciated the part where you ‘spoke’, in regard to birthdays, of the change in perspective that comes with age. I Corinthians 13:11 reflects that so well.
    Faith IS a journey and I thank you for sharing thoughts from yours.
    Easter blessings.

    Reply
  3. Genny says

    March 24, 2016 at 5:02 AM

    I’m so happy to have read your post today. It is exactly how I have been feeling too. Happy Easter!

    Reply
  4. Jean says

    March 24, 2016 at 5:05 AM

    Thankyou – have a lovely Easter.

    Reply
  5. laura {not a trophy wife} says

    March 24, 2016 at 5:27 AM

    Spot on Vanessa! We got hit with a blizzard and 2 snow days, we are heading to CA for spring break and trying to find Jesus in 14″ of unexpected snow, last minute laundry, shoveling. And, the Brussel attacks have me on edge Thank you for an honest post ..the message resonates! Have a Blessed Easter and some years are just more meaningful than others.. but your time with your children an sleeping in and baking is what they will remember…. laura

    Reply
  6. Becca says

    March 24, 2016 at 6:18 AM

    Beautiful post, Vanessa … you always find the perfect words! I know you’ve loved having your kiddos home for Spring Break … sounds like an awesome week. I hope you have a Happy, Happy Easter!

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:08 AM

    Beautifully said, Vanessa. Happy Easter, friend!!

    Reply
  8. Dona Haggerty says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:18 AM

    Thank you so much for your words today! And for being so transparent! I was feeling exactly what you spoke this morning….but I didn’t realize what that “feeling” was until I read your article. Thank you and Happy Easter!

    Reply
  9. Chris W says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:21 AM

    Simply, thank you!

    Reply
  10. Carol says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    As I sat in church Sunday morning listening to the pastor read the scripture and God spoke to me and said, “let me handle those problems”. what a relief! My week has been more relaxed and I have witnessed to someone I love and haven’t known how to do it. I baked cupcakes and shared with people that aren’t neighbors and tonight I hope we can go to church and hear again the story of the last supper. I think we idealize things and want them to be perfect and just the same as we remember them, but life changes.

    Blessings to you this Holy Season.

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:36 AM

    Thank you for saying that”out loud”! There is meaning in the shallow end of life. Blessings to you and your family.

    Reply
  12. Rebecca Turner says

    March 24, 2016 at 10:21 AM

    I haven’t been feeling very Eastery either. My church typically prepares us for Easter with a somber drama (reinactment) which they aren’t doing this year. (I think I may have already mentioned this in a former post on your blog.) But beyond this, Easter comes so early this year…and in my neck of the woods, Spring is in full bloom. Everything is regenerating and it’s glorious!!! For some strange reason, I feel as though I’m seeing the beauty of Spring for the first time. God’s creation. His glory on display. New life. I feel HAPPY! Why shouldn’t I be? (In spite of the turmoil in the news.) I have been redeemed through Jesus. Through His sacrifice, and His RESURRECTION, and that IS something to celebrate!

    Reply
  13. Nancie says

    March 24, 2016 at 5:48 PM

    Beautiful words, Vanessa! Have a Blessed Easter to you and your family!

    Reply
  14. Jenny Denbow says

    April 1, 2016 at 7:47 PM

    This was said so well. The feelings were in my heart but I did not have the words. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Jenny says

    April 1, 2016 at 7:53 PM

    You said what has been in my heart for a very long time. But I could not find the words. Thank you.

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    March 26, 2018 at 5:27 PM

    Amen and Amen!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to laura {not a trophy wife} Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence