Palms.

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 
Those words have been ringing in my head all day.
Long after their echo left the room.
Long after the collection of crock pots and snacks.
Long after the hugs and exchanges of phone numbers.
Long after the trek home and the nap that followed.
The Truth is the Truth, and it is fitting that the praise of the Lamb continues throughout this Holy day.

Though we had neither palm branches nor a donkey, we exalted the King with voices through both word and song. We were washed in the water of the Word. I was blessed to hear the Covenant of the Life Group Leaders of 2012 read aloud and affirmed with prayer. We thanked the Lord for His mercy and goodness. We stood in awe.
And still the voices echoed and rang loudly from the rafters: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 

Everywhere I looked, there were palms. Palms of hands raised high in worship. Palms pressed together in fervent prayer. Palms of a fearless man praying grace upon the room. Palms lifting heavy pots, shaking hands, patting backs. Palms serving. Palms being Christ.
Though there were no palm branches to wave, there was honor given to the King by the work and worship of His children. And it echoes even louder in our hearts:
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"