The first promise comes from the prophet Jeremiah who writes in Jer 29:11 NIV, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” 

The plans we have for ourselves may differ from plans God has for us. My great love was ballet. I started lessons with thirty other little girls and quickly became the first in line. We did warm up exercises, practiced the dance for our teacher’s concert for our parents and then as the pianist played, we took turns in improvising a dance. “Well done, Merle, as usual,” Miss Sampson said. I wanted to be a great ballerina when I grew up. My Dad had just returned from the war in North Africa and built a lovely house for us, far from my ballet class in Rosebank with the dismaying result that my mother stopped my ballet lessons. When I was at high school, I begged my Mum to let me start ballet lessons. She agreed and I was about to start my first lesson with a renowned teacher who had agreed to teach me when one of her students – Miss Sampson - had recommended me. The day before, I put my hand on my desk and stretched my leg up without warming up. I fell on the carpet and had physio for six weeks and that was the end of my ballet plans. I was heart-broken but turned my attention to music. I wanted to be a great pianist as I had done so well in eisteddfods. My teacher was a recently retired professor from the Royal Academy of Music, and he had high hopes for me.  But one Sunday, a theological student came to preach and when I went to put out the choir’s music, I found him reading his notes. He had come to the wrong vestry. I was most embarrassed. After the service I said to my Mum, “I am going to marry him.” Two years later I did and for the first years in two pastorates. I played the piano for services n our first pastorate and later a small electronic organ with pedals at our second. 

The second promise comes from Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.” This promise comes as a warning. We should always ask God for directions in our daily lives. We should depend on him and not follow our own inclinations. We should give him the glory for our achievements and be truly thankful. 

The third promise is about our glorious future – where we shall go when we, as believers, die? What will Heaven be like? We know some things but now “look as through a glass darkly” obscuring the view. Great authors over the centuries have written what life after death will be like for believers. They have portrayed their versions of Heaven, but they have wasted their time writing their speculations for the Bible says in 1 Cor 2:9 “But it is written, ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Neither hath not entered in the heart of man the things God has prepared for them that love him.’” There will be no giving in marriage, God will wipe all tears from our eyes, there will be no more sickness and death. 
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We read the two greatest verses in the Bible. It is our third and supreme promise: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world might be saved.” John 3:16 ​

When I was two months old, I was Christened in a nearby Anglican church in the long family Christening dress. As it was during World War Two, my father was away on active service, and the minister of a nearby Union Church visited my Mother. Its Constitution specified that congregants must be Methodists, Presbyterians or Congregationalists and the Minister must be a Baptist. The minister of the Union Church in which I was baptized was a very fine preacher. One Sunday when I was in the Choir Vestry putting out the music books for choir members, I was surprised to find a young theological student siting reading his notes. “You’re in the wrong vestry,” I said to him. “The Minister’s Vestry is on the opposite side of the church.” But I heard the organist playing voluntaries and the choir members entered. While he preached the student turned to look at the choir and glanced at me. Choir members were seated in two stalls beneath the huge stained glass window depicting Christ’s head in a medallion with al large stripe leading up to it in yellow with a blue background. After church I said to my mother, “I am going to marry him!” And that is how I became a Baptist and the President of the Baptist Woman’s Association in two churches before my husband became a Dean of the Faculty of Theology at a well-known university. When he died, I joined a nearby Anglican church. As Holy Week was approaching and I knew nothing of the Church Calendar, I started Googling. This is what I found. 
 
Holy Week is the last week of Lent. It begins with Palm Sunday with Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey which had never been ridden and followed by a huge crowd waving palm branches and praising God. Holy Wednesday marks the betrayal of Jesus Christ, Holy Thursday marks his passion, and Holy Friday his death and descent into Hell. Holy Saturday marks the Harrowing of Hell when Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb. 
 
Easter Sunday is a joyful occasion with church bells ringing and congregations singing, “Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah!”  It’s a day of Easter egg hunts, of giving and receiving chocolate bunnies, large, boxed Easter eggs and boxes of chocolates tied with decorative ribbons. 
 
How is the country or city in which you live celebrating Easter? 

​In America as reported by Fox News in 2025, The White House plans extraordinary week as President Trump honours Easter “with the observance it deserves.
 
God bless your Holy Week and Easter,  
Merle