Happy Monday! We're starting off another beautiful week of this glorious spring season, and what a busy week it shall be. It's Holy Week, which kicked off yesterday with Palm Sunday celebrations around the world. For me, this week will be filled with work, rehearsals, singing for different services at my church, celebrating my daughter's and niece's First Communion, entertaining, hosting family for Easter dinner, and everything in between. Only slightly busy... nothing crazy.

Weeks like this can leave me feeling a bit disassociated. In my own headspace, there's a lot of noise. Walking the dusty road to the cross this week is where I want my focus to be. It's so easy for me to get distracted. Nothing makes me feel more connected to God than nature and music. I'm grateful that I had a weekend filled with outdoor time, working in the garden, and adding new flower beds to my property. I really needed that. I needed to let my bare hands touch the earth, though it was damp and cold. I needed the dirt under my nails and to breathe in the fresh air.

As I washed my dirt-covered hands after a day of hard work, I was reminded of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples on Maundy Thursday. What a beautiful act of service. A gift of pure love. I cannot deny the love Jesus had for all mankind two thousand years ago, the same love He still has for all the world. There's no greater gift, friends. Examples of His love are everywhere... we just have to stop and look.

My busyness is a gift. I have two jobs that I love. I have opportunities galore to do things that make me and others happy. I have the means to serve others through my hospitality. I have a voice to share the love of Christ with anyone who will listen. Great gifts.

As we journey through this Holy Week, I pray that you will tap into your gifts and use them to serve.