Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves. “That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.” They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me.
She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial. And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly.”
Mark 14: 1-9 (The Message)
She did what she could when she could.
What a legacy, Lord, for this unnamed woman.
Her claim to fame is worshipping you.
Bathing you with expensive perfume.
I think she knew she was preparing you for your next dark steps.
She did what she could when she could.
This line is her epitaph.
Forever memorializing her act of love for you.
I wonder what I will leave, Lord.
How will I be remembered?
If it is your will, allow me to bequeath a fragrant trail of love leading to you.
May my life story point to your life story.
I pray to do what you ask, when you ask and not miss a God-opportunity.
May others say when thinking of me: she did what she could when she could.
Jean,
Amen…Yes, joining you in your prayer to do what I can when I could…Thank you!
Powerful words, Jean. In fact, I’m going to copy one line (with your name attached!) to keep with my prayer cards. I want to start each day asking the Lord to “allow me to bequeath a fragrant trail of love leading to him.” LOVE that! Then I’ll add: Help me, Lord, to “do what you ask, when you ask, and not miss a God-opportunity.” Thank you for a highly-inspiring post!
Please any words I have here: they are to God’s glory. I think this story in the bible is so powerful – pure worship. May we bow down before him with such love and surrender. Happy Easter!
May we pour out our time, talents and treasure to lavishly worship Him! Great post! Linked up with you at Spiritual Sundays — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
I did stop by your post and so glad we have connected over the internet. Blessings on your Holy Week. He is risen!
We do what we can. And that is good enough. I love that the Lord is satisfied with our sufficiency because His love trumps it all.
I think one reason why this statement appealed to me was when I felt guilty as a young mother when I wasn’t perfect or couldn’t do everything, I would find peace in knowing I was doing the best I could and doing what I could. God is enough and will fill out the gaps my human hands and heart just can’t fill. Thanks Lisa for commenting and blessings on your Holy Week. He is risen!
Yes, what a legacy to leave . . . Beautiful, Jean! Just to let you know, I won’t be on the internet regularly next week, so will probably miss some posts. Have a great week, my friend!
Blessing on your Holy Week, Martha. will miss you.