Triumph: You are awesome, even when you don't feel like it

by Devin Dummel

As we enter into the Easter season we will take a look at some of the moments of the Easter story and connect them to everyday life.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the king of Israel!”   - John 12:12-13

Can you picture this moment?  I’m sure the image that most of us have of the “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem isn’t totally accurate.  But what I am sure of is that as Parents most of us probably can relate to what Jesus was feeling in that moment.

While the moments of “triumph” in parenting may be few and far between - nothing can compare to the feeling of your kids recognizing how awesome you really are.  Because let’s be honest – you are awesome … even when you don’t feel like it.

You are the one who kisses every “boo-boo”.  You are the strongest dad in the whole world.  You are the one who they cling to when they are scared.  And it’s your bed that they run too when they just aren’t feeling like themselves.  You are awesome … and in those instances when your children recognize it, there is nothing that feels better.

What’s amazing about the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry is we know that just a few days later – some of the same people who are singing his praises will be clamoring for demise.

And maybe as a parent you know that feeling too.  “It’s not fair!”  “I can’t believe you would do that!”  “Get out of my room!”  “I hate you!”  It’s amazing when your kids see how awesome you are.  It’s soul crushing when they turn on you.

But even in the face of his own children disowning Him, God chose out of His great love for us to give of himself.  To sacrifice what He deserved and what He wanted so that we could be forgiven.

And isn’t that the real triumph in this story – not that Jesus was rightly praised during the triumphal entry … but that even after his children neglected who He was, He still demonstrated great love for them.

That is a story of triumph!  That story is also your story.  You love and sacrifice and give even when you don’t feel like it.  And in doing so - you triumph.

In doing so you show your children the same love that God has for us …. And that is something worthy of getting some praise.

You are awesome!  Keep loving, keep forgiving and keep sacrificing – and in the end you will see your kids triumph as well.