Hey y’all hey! I started a new job just shy of two months ago and while I am over the moon excited about the work, let’s just say that a sista forgot what it feels like to transition – and might I add that I am a bit more seasoned than ever before when I’ve embarked upon a new gig. Instead of saying, “I’m tired,” I am using the Word at my disposal and reminding myself that the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Nevertheless I feel like the disciples who couldn’t tarry with Jesus in the garden without sleeping. I actually nodded during a zoom meeting the other day – twice on the same call. Jesus be a long nap! To top it off, I’m one of “those people” that tend to get a little short when I’ve not rested. Suffice to say, traveling to the west coast twice in two weeks, two conferences, daylight savings time and the end of teaching a class has me shook! While traveling home for trip number three I was in full countdown mode to get home. I paid an upgrade to board early. However, as I attempted to board, the gate agent questioned my luggage, insisting that I had a built in battery and moved me to the side to remove said battery. I watched as she checked in everyone from group 1 to 9. I inspected my luggage – even opened it knowing full well how difficult it was for me to close it in the first place. I saw no battery. In fact, all I could think to myself was that if there was a battery, I could definitely use it to charge myself. I finally mustered up the energy to tell the agent again that I had no battery only a charger – to which she said, “Well, that’s what I asked you.” Deep ancestral sigh. She allowed me to board. I sat down on the plane and closed my eyes, hoping, wishing to make the entire ordeal drift away.

As we enter Holy Week, I am reminded that Jesus never intended for us to get to the point of running on empty. What He did at Calvary made space for us certainly to endure, but not to be depleted in the process. No manner of self care can equate to soul care. And to be sure, I know better. I am better. Yesterday morning at church as I was preparing with the other dancers to minister during service, a cardinal appeared outside of the window. While some embraced the appearance as a sign from a loved one who’d transitioned, I accepted the message as one of encouragement in response to difficulty. Yet, how timely. Palm Sunday represents when Jesus entered Jerusalem as the people cried, “Hosanna,” which means “save us.” We not only need Jesus to save during this week, but each day we are granted new grace and mercy. Jeremiah 31:25 reads, “I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.” This Holy Week and in the weeks to come, I commit to not only physical rest, but soul rest, and rest in the assurance that what God extended to me through a new opportunity, He concurrently equipped me. And in the spaces where I feel challenged by His choice or feel that I am operating below standard, I have access – we have access to the ultimate power supply that will rekindle, restore and renew. Lest I forget, lest you forget that the Blood will never lose its power!