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. 6-9 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.”
As we celebrate Easter week, may we be reminded of all that Jesus gave for us because we are His beloved.
Listen:
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7 (NIV))
Reflect:
My mother turned 96 this year, and though she lives independently, she does need assistance now and then, especially when some unforeseen crisis hits. When I took responsibility for overseeing her care six years ago, I worried about how I’d manage since I live over two hours away.
But God provides! One day this winter, her pellet stove would not start, and this was a crisis because it’s her main source of heat. She could not get an appointment for service until two weeks out! We prayed, and the next morning, a repairman stood at her door. He “randomly” had decided to add her to his schedule. These kinds of things have happened over and over.
However, God has mainly used the people in her church to answer our prayers. These are some of the things they’ve done for her: picked up a prescription, taken her grocery shopping, given her rides, provided regular home blood pressure checks, taken her to the emergency room, repaired her leaking gutter, helped her make a difficult phone call, fixed her broken water line, and included her in a family Thanksgiving dinner when I had to travel out of state one year.
The love and support our family has experienced through these dear folks is something very precious and beautiful. How we thank God for them!
Prayer of Response:
Lord, we are so grateful for the people who help us. Thank you for how you answer prayers through your people. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- In what ways has God answered your prayers specifically?
- Where have you seen the hands and feet of Jesus at work in your life?
Breath Prayer:
As a new weekly rhythm, join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): My God
Exhale (Breathe out): will hear me.
—Submitted by: Ruth Wood
Ruth is a US/Swiss citizen and lives with her husband in Oregon. They have two grown sons, two awesome daughters-in-law, and one very spoiled cat. She works as a Licensed Professional Counselor and loves blogging at EspressoForTheHeart.org.
Sunrise feature photo by David Zawita on Unsplash