An Ordinary Saturday
Remembering the Hope That Jesus’s Footprints Bring Amid the Gaps
by
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Saturday is significant. This particular Saturday is quite significant. It is a day that we now use to anticipate the celebration of His victory, but at the time, they didn’t know what to anticipate. They didn’t know what to think. As far as most people, if not all, were concerned, Jesus was gone. His followers found themselves on a bridge no one wants to ever find themselves on—the kind where it isn’t obvious it’s merely a bridge to cross and comes across as a permanent destination—and we now get the chance to observe that bridge every year on Holy Saturday. It is a time to reflect, rest, mourn, and embrace what once was the unknown. It was never meant to overshadow the day of the sacrifice or the day of the celebration, but we can’t get to the other side of the river without first stepping onto the bridge. Jesus gave us a day to rest in the mourning. I know I deeply struggle in the days of confusion, mourning, and discouragement because I simply don’t know how to rest in that. I want to skip ahead to the freedom and the celebration and the victory and the promise fulfilled. If Jesus wanted us to skip ahead, I don’t think He would’ve given His followers that day in between. It was never His intention to keep us on Saturday, He gave us the gift of Sunday, the much anticipated and hoped-for victory, but He gave us Saturday first: a day to embrace, reflect, and rest, to then launch us into the better days He has ahead for us. If He leads us to a bridge, He will lead us past it; He may just want us to enjoy the view from the suspended platform first to better appreciate what is on the other side.
I have a friend who has a tradition that has forever changed not only my hiking habits but my habits of life. She shared this tradition with me on a road trip into the Oregon mountains. We were almost to her family cabin when we reached a bridge that crossed over a river. She suddenly asked me to stop; a full-on stop in the middle of the road.
Sure, it was in the remote part of the mountains so the risk of other cars coming was small, but still, it felt like somewhat of a risk. However, I love spontaneous, illogical decisions so of course I stopped. She got out of the car and went to the railing. She just paused, took in the view, hopped back in the car, and asked me to start moving again. Don’t get me wrong, the view was pretty, but I’ve seen better. Not sure if it was worth the stop. I later asked her why she asked me to stop in the middle of the bridge. She then explained that it’s tradition: whenever you reach a bridge, if safe, don’t forget to take in the view. Even if the view isn’t extravagant, it’s a chance to catch a view that can’t be seen from anywhere else except that bridge. The rarity and specificity of that particular bridge wherever you find yourself is a gem that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It all summed up: it’s an excuse to pause, breathe, recenter, and continue on the journey.
The conversation lasted maybe five minutes and it was just about a small, seemingly meaningless tradition, but it was one of the most impactful conversations I have had. I have since adopted that tradition for driving, hiking, walking, and all other aspects of life where I may encounter a bridge. The view from the middle is unique from all other angles, don’t miss it. I know I’ve missed it more than once, but I don’t want to miss it this time. Bridges are intentional. Bridges are a pathway to what otherwise would be impossible to reach. Bridges are a platform on which to take a breath. Bridges are a stable comfort amidst the in-between. Bridges are gifts that are even more enjoyable
with a friend to walk with.
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About the Book
Consider Moses the nomad and David the shepherd or perhaps Mary the alabaster seeker and Zacchaeus, the tax-collecting tree climber. Scripture is rich with broken and ordinary people who chose to follow Jesus even in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. The Bible is overflowing with disciples who chose Jesus through the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of their lives.
When following Jesus there are seasons abundant in victories, but there are also seasons heavy with doubt and despair. An Ordinary Saturday is full of mistakes made and lessons learned by one of God’s beloved daughters, all centered on Scripture to show that although we are broken, He makes us whole. Author Hailey Brianna made a lot of wrong turns but always ended up exactly where she needed to be because of God’s grace and provision.
There will always be moments in our lives when we’re asked to wait on God in the desert. The question is, how do we respond when facing the gap between where we are and where we want to be? When all hope seems to wither, we must remember we worship the Giver of Hope, Jesus Christ. An Ordinary Saturday is an inspiring book that reminds readers to choose Jesus always and hold on to the hope God provides. During your walk with God, Sunday always comes, but that does not mean the rest of our days are wasted.
About the Author
Across the years she has lived, albeit few, Hailey has encountered doubt, confusion, loss, gain, and much more. She has made mistakes, walked with people in various stages of faith, and is simply trying to trust her Savior one step at a time. Hailey studied journalism in college, which emphasized her love and curiosity for other people’s stories. She has had the blessing of traveling across the world and hearing all about the incredible ways God has met and moved in His children. Through this she has learned that the only thing we can count on in uncertainty is the certainty of His presence and His plan.