Unconventional Easter Week Movie & Snack Guide

The list below is probably the cheesiest thing I’ve ever written. But I needed it, see…

It was Passover Friday. I was feeling a fever coming on. I had gone a little too hard in my boxing classes this past week. And there was an undercurrent of grief over a personal disappointment, on top of the stress of an unexpected expense. Then, as I was driving around that day, I witnessed (and came very close to) not one, but TWO car accidents.

My adrenaline was racing. Heart rate shot way up. I pulled into a parking lot to calm down. And then the most mundane thing pushed me over the edge: a call from my accountant about my taxes. I said, “I need to cancel my plans tonight. I am not okay.” I spent my evening at home instead, letting texts pile up, wrapped in a cozy blanket cocoon before falling asleep early, letting the stress of the last few weeks wash over me.

I spent the next day resting. By evening, I prayed, “Lord, I have so many thoughts and feelings about everything all at once right now. What do You want to actually say to me about all this?” And the softest but clearest whisper came: “Vania, GO HAVE FUN.” The clarity that came was that I needed to “move in the opposite spirit.” Instead of agreeing with grief and disappointment, I needed belly laughter and a fun snack. And I suddenly really wanted a bubble waffle from the most whimsical ice cream shop in my town: Figments in Sprinkles. So I went and got a caramel bubble waffle sundae and settled in for the night to watch my all-time favorite comedy, Rush Hour.

I know that Easter week is a solemn week, remembering Jesus’ death on the cross. And I have a deep reverence for that. But Easter is ultimately a celebration of resurrection, not death. So I realized, I want to spend Easter week in delusionally joyful Resurrection energy… watching hilarious buddy comedies and having fun snacks (or dinner) every night.

So here’s my Unconventional Easter Week Movie & Snack Guide below. (I trust that you can use your judgment as to what movies you feel comfortable watching. You know your convictions.) Feel free to follow along, whether it’s this week or whenever you need a week of pick-me-ups!

1. Movie: Rush Hour
   Food: Chinese takeout & bubble tea
   Prayer: “Lord, I didn’t ask for this disappointing situation. But since I’m here, please let my Carter-level chaos be useful. And if I trip over my own sass, may You still get the glory.”
   
2. Movie: The Other Guys
   Food: Nachos
   Prayer: “Lord, make me brave even when I feel unqualified. Remind me that You’ve placed real fire in me–even if I yell during the whole car chase.”
   
3. Movie: Shanghai Noon
   Food: Dumplings or egg rolls
   Prayer: “Lord, I don’t need to understand what You’re doing. Just give me the courage to ride backwards on a horse with a bird in my arms and the Word in my belly.”
   
4. Movie: 21 Jump Street
   Food: Some kind of fun, crazy ice cream
   Prayer: “Help me laugh at my awkwardness and not take myself too seriously. Let my childlike heart embarrass religious spirits and confuse the enemy daily.”
   
5. Movie: Central Intelligence
   Food: Smoothie or protein shake
   Prayer: “Even when I feel small, remind me that You see strength in me. And even when my past was humiliating, You turn it into favor and friendship.”
   
6. Movie: Ghostbusters
   Food: Greek yogurt with berries
   Prayer: “Let me laugh while I cast out sludge off my family’s generational line.”
   
7. Movie: Hot Fuzz
   Food: Chicken tikka masala & chai
   Prayer: “Lord, break through the noise. Give me discernment and friends who’ll battle/intercede alongside me.”