ZPCBlog

About the Author: Melanie, and her husband, Trent, have been ZPC members since 2023. Together they have a young daughter, Ella (4) and Melanie has two step children, Madelynn (20) and Max (15). Melanie serves as a 2nd term Deacon, while also serving on the Daddy Daughter Dance Committee, in the Littles Ministry, VBS, and more. This has truly shaped her faith, bringing her closer to God. The biggest blessing for their family has been Thursday nights, building strong friendship bonds in their Home Group.

As a mom, Holy Week hits differently.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about Mary—not just as the mother of Jesus, but as a woman who deeply, unconditionally loved her child. She raised him, taught him, kissed his scraped knees, watched him grow into his purpose… and then she watched him suffer the cross. And she stayed. She never left. 

That part stops me every time.

Motherhood has this way of teaching you about love in its rawest, realest form. The kind that shows up when you’re running on fumes and maybe a little caffeine– but it still shows up every day. The kind that holds space for both joy and heartbreak.

This week, I’m not sitting in silence with candles lit and a journal full of profound thoughts. I’ve got early wake-ups, snack negotiations, dance lessons to get to, laundry that never ends, and a 5-year-old yelling “MOM!” like it’s her full-time job (because it is).

But in between all the chaos, there are holy moments. Bedtime prayers. Morning snuggles. Little glimpses of grace. Our children give us more grace than we know what to do with sometimes. And I think that’s the point—Jesus meets us here, right in the middle of the mess.

So this Holy Week, I’m not trying to perform a perfect devotional. I’m just trying to stay present. To love like Jesus. To show up like Mary. And to let the quiet strength of this story settle deep in my heart.

Prayer

Jesus, help me walk through this week with tenderness. Help me love with courage, show up with compassion, and find you in the small, special moments. Even when it’s hard—especially when it’s hard—let me stay close.
Amen.

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