Sarah joined the singing of the closing hymn. It had been a wonderful service. As she made her way out of the sanctuary, her husband lingered behind, catching up with friends. She headed toward the Sunday school wing and ran into her friend Jen.

“Hey, girlfriend,” Sarah said. “Is the new job still amazing?”

Jen grimaced. “I wish.”

Sarah blinked in surprise. “What happened? You were so excited about it last week. You told me you had a fantastic boss, and your coworkers were so welcoming.”

“I may have spoken too soon,” Jen said. “I really thought my boss was supportive of me and my development. It turns out he’s only interested in how I can help him look good.”

Sarah followed Jen down the hallway. “I’m sorry to hear that. What about the rest of the job?”

“It’s OK, but I think I might look for something else,” Jen said. “I need to be in a place where I can grow and develop. I don’t see why God put me in a job like this.”

“Wow,” Sarah said. “That’s a big change from how you felt last week. Don’t you think you might be overreacting?”

Before Jen could answer, they’d reached the classroom, and their kids joined them. “How was Sunday school?” Sarah asked.

“It was good, I guess,” Logan said.

“We talked about Palm Sunday,” Aiden added.

“Well, that makes sense,” Jen said, “since today is Palm Sunday.”

“I don’t really get it,” Logan said.

“What don’t you get?” Jen asked.

Logan’s face wrinkled. “I don’t understand how all the people were happy with Jesus on Sunday, but wanted him to be killed on Friday. On Sunday, they cheered for him and lay their clothes and palm branches on the road ahead of him. They were so excited about him. What made them change their mind?”

Sarah brushed the hair back from her son’s forehead. “That’s a great question.”

“I want to know, too,” Aiden said.

 “I’m glad you boys are asking questions about Jesus,” Sarah said. “When Jesus rode into town on the donkey, he was famous. He was healing the sick and raising people from the dead. The crowds were excited because they thought Jesus would be a conquering king. They thought he would save them from the Romans. When Jesus didn’t do what they expected him to do, they turned on Him.”

“That’s sad,” Aiden said.

“It is,” Sarah agreed.

“I still think it’s hard to believe people would change their minds so fast,” Logan said.

Sarah angled a glance at Jen. “Sometimes people get an idea of who God is and how they think He should act. Instead of letting God work in their lives, they get upset when He doesn’t do what they expect.”

“But why wouldn’t God do what we expect?” Aiden asked.

“Why should He?” Sarah asked. “He’s God. How can we, as people created by Him, possibly think we know better than He does?”

Aiden shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Do you know what would have happened if Jesus did what the people wanted?” Sarah asked.

Logan and Aiden shook their heads. Jen stood nearby, silent, but hanging on to every word. “Jesus could have become their king and overthrown the Romans. Maybe things would have gone better for the Jewish people for a time, but they would have died in their sins. They’d still be sacrificing animals to cover their sins. Jesus’ way didn’t make sense to them at the time, but we can look back on it now and be grateful He paid the ultimate price of His life to save us from our sins.”

Aiden nodded, and Logan stood, chewing on his lip. It was clear the boys were at the edge of their attention span. “Can we go play on the playground?”

Sarah smiled at the boys. “Sure. We’ll be out to get you in a little bit.”

Jen turned toward Sarah. “I guess I’m kind of like the people in Jesus’ time.”

Sarah bit back a grin. “Maybe a little. You did change your mind about the job pretty quickly. God never promised it would be a perfect environment. He has you there for a reason. Maybe you’ll learn and grow and it will be the beginning of an amazing career, but maybe you’re there because you’re going to do God’s will. You have to trust God knows what He’s doing.”

Jen squeezed Sarah’s arm. “He knew what He was doing when He gave me a friend like you. Thanks for always giving me good advice. What do you say we go out to the playground and watch our little monkeys?”

Sarah linked her arm in Jen’s, and together they strolled out of the church.

 Isaiah 55: 9-11

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God, as we enter this Holy week, thank You for the gift of Your Son. You had a plan for us before the foundation of the world. We don’t deserve Your love and forgiveness, but You freely give it to us. Please help us follow the path You have set for us, even when we might not understand it. Please help us focus on Jesus’ sacrifice this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.