Freely Giving

I just finished reading Elisa Morgan’s book She Did What She Could. The book is based on Mark 14, the story of Mary of Bethany and her anointing of Jesus’ feet with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. When she was rebuked by others for doing such a lavish act, Jesus said

Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

The book keys in on this phrase “she did what she could” and challenges us all to do what we can.

I have a beautiful friend who is going through some financial hard times and was asked to make a monetary donation to make a gift basket for a speaker at her ministry. Knowing the extra money wasn’t available to her right now, she volunteered to arrange the basket with love and care. She did what she could.

I have another friend whose life crossed paths with a young lady less fortunate than herself. The young lady was pregnant and didn’t have the means to buy some of the basics for her newly expected child. Knowing that she could not afford to help the young lady by herself, my friend organized a baby shower for the young lady so that others could joyfully bless the young lady and show her Christ’s love. My friend did what she could.

As I have been asking myself what is it that I can do or should do, God has been opening my eyes. Making meals for families who are going through adjustments, opening my home for moms to chat, financially supporting a friend on a mission trip, volunteering a little bit of time on Sunday mornings so that other parents can enjoy the worship service. While not solving world hunger (yet!), these are some of the things that I can do right now, where I am, with the means I have. I am praying for God to continue to open my eyes to the things that I can do and to open my heart so that I will not only see and think about them, but act.

She Did What She Could (SDWSC): Five Letters That Will Change Your Life By Elisa Morgan / Tyndale House Do you want to make a difference in this world? Do you care about the sick, the poor, the orphans? Chances are you do, but question whether you can make any significant contribution. In SDWSC (She Did What She Could), Elisa Morgan points to the woman in Mark 14 who anointed Jesus’ feet as an example of someone who did what she could. Discover how you can realistically respond to the needs of those around you, even in the midst of family and work demands. Hardcover.

Filed under: Bible Verses, Book references, Talents and Gifts, Time, Treasures Tagged: | Mark 14