For the 40 days of Lent, our writers will be sharing testimonies based on the scripture Mark 14:6-9: She offered what was in her hands and heart to give. “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.”
In this Lenten season, may we be reminded of all that Jesus gave for us because we are His beloved.
Listen:
“He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 CEB)
Reflect:
My grandmother had such beautiful hands! They were never pampered at a spa, they never got a professional massage or a manicure, but they were beautiful. These hands always held something in them: cooking items, cleaning items, little children, a purring cat, or they were knitting something as we were talking.
My grandmother left her mountain village only a few times over her lifetime, she did not get much schooling (not because she was not smart enough, but because of the regime that took away our freedom and the right to education to believers in Jesus Christ), yet she lived a life that kept bringing the love of Jesus, leaving a mark that lasts.
Grandma Neli passed away in 2020 after she got covid. Because gatherings were not allowed back then, we thought that we were going to have a small gathering of family and close friends at the cemetery, but we were shocked that hundreds of people came to pay their respects on that cold, rainy November day. She was a woman that did justice, embraced faithful love, and walked humbly with God.
She served food at her table to so many people, homeless people lived for free in a room that my Grandpa built, until the last days of her life she kept knitting wool socks for the needy, she worked as a nurse for disabled children always volunteering to do the jobs that nobody wanted, paid for the house expenses of many families who could not cover for their costs, fought for the dignity of the gypsies living in her area and they were always welcomed in her home and at her table. We got to witness these things, but she never, not once, pointed to herself in this life. It was always about the love that she received from her Lord Jesus and this love was bursting out in all directions. We heard many stories about Grandma at her funeral and although for almost 40 years Grandma and Grandpa had been the only followers of Jesus in the cluster of villages where they lived, many came to Christ as a result of their life and testimony.
Prayer of Response:
I rest in my obedience to you, aware that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. I pause today and truly ask you what you want my hands to give or receive today. (Take a few seconds to quiet yourself and not rush to the next thing. Receive God’s love for you as you sit quietly.) Lead me to know how and where I can spread your generous love. Thank you for loving me abundantly first.
Questions to Ponder:
- Take a moment to look at your hands. What do they feel like? What do they need? What are they holding in them these days?
- Is there something that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to let go of from your “hands”? Is there something that the Spirit is prompting them to do today? Are there barriers preventing you from obeying? Who and how can someone join you in this so you don’t get discouraged or distracted?
- How can you rest in this loving obedience to God?
Breath Prayer:
Inhale (Breathe in): I open my heart and hands
Exhale (Breathe out): to receive and give your Love today. (Repeat)
—Submitted by: Diana Anton
Diana lives in Bucharest, Romania and serves as the Executive Director of Lifesprings International. Her passion is to see women worldwide connected, encouraged, and prepared to keep bringing the love of Jesus Christ to our communities.
Her favorite thing in this season is to wake up to Adam’s giggles (her almost seven month old baby) and to dream big for what God has for the community of Lifesprings in 2025. You can find her on instagram at life.on.farm.road or on her blog at www.lifeonfarmroad.com.