Mark 14:7-9 (New King James Version)
7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
This scripture is perhaps familiar to you. But, as sometimes happens, it really jumped out at me Sunday when I read it again. Jesus says some amazing things here, that I think are worth looking at. You may recall that the woman (and not a 'nice girl' either) brought the costly perfume to Jesus at the supper table and begins by pouring over his (still) dirty feet, crying over them with her tears and then drying them with her hair. What a sight that must have been. I wonder how we hostesses would handle this ackward situation today?
I want to focus on this one phrase today, "She has done what she could." Simple sentence. Simple thought. But, oh, what deep implications! First question on my mind: Have I done what I could? I need to 'be the best me I can be, for everyone else is taken.' Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. What resources, talents, gifts do I have? Am I using those to the glory of the kingdom? I can reach people no one else can, because of my unique place in life right now, right where I am. Which brings up another thing: Don't put off what can be done now. Don't wait for tomorrow, for retirement, for better finances, for less stress, etc. . . Today is a gift and we are not promised tomorrow. Take the gift and give back to God what you can. Let him have the glory for magnifying that gift with his power.
This woman was chastised by the disciples for 'wasting' her gift. Instead, they thought she should have sold it and given them to the money. I see a few flies in the ointment here, don't you? Perhaps they wanted to control the money or maybe they just thought they had a better idea. But Jesus defends her decision.
Don't let what others say discourage you. Don't wait for a better opportunity. There is never a better time than today. There is never someone better suited to the task than you. Take what is given and use it to the best of your abilities. God will bless that and He will receive the glory.
Let it be said of us as we journey towards our heavenly home, "She has done what she could."
(The beautiful quilt above was made by the aunt of a friend in Kansas City out of her grandmother's handkerchiefs. Thank you, Stan and Debbie, for your kind hospitality. We slept well under that quilt.)
