_________________________

Do you wish you had more time clean out a closet, or be a good neighbor, or write a book, or help the needy? The solution I believe, is in utilizing the miniature “open doors of opportunity” in your life, even if it is only taking 30 minutes to call someone who needs encouragement.

I love the story about the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head. You should read the whole account, in Mark chapter 14, verses 1-11. There is a similar account of the same event in John 12:1-11. The woman is named as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and it says she poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet. (Perhaps she poured some perfume on both his head and feet.)

This woman loved Jesus! She knew him well and was a close friend. She knew he was the Son of God. She wanted to do something, anything, to show her love for the Messiah, to show how much she valued him. What was the most valuable thing she owned? Perhaps it was this bottle of expensive perfume. When Mary is rebuked by a religious leader, Jesus defends her saying, “Leave her alone… She has done a beautiful thing to me… She did what she could.” 

This story illustrates a very comforting principle to apply to one’s life: whatever we have of value to offer, from a heart of love and gratitude, is enough. It doesn’t have to be expensive, like Mary’s gift.

Perhaps you can’t give a large financial donation to your church or a ministry you value. But, can you bring a meal to the elderly every so often? If so, that’s great! You did what you could. Can you prepare someone’s tax returns for free? Can you do home repairs? You did what you could. Can you listen to your friend’s problems and offer help or advice? Can you sing well for Christ? Or, play an instrument at church? Can you write a book, or even a poem? Christ values your love-offering. You did what you could.