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“She did what she could.
She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.”
Mark 14:8 (NIV)

Do you remember a certain smell, lingering in the room? Your husband’s cologne? A burned bag of popcorn in the microwave? The gym? Some aromas make us smile, others make us cringe, still others make us wretch!

Travel back in time with me as we peek into a home in Israel as Jesus enjoys dinner with some of His friends. The scent of perfume is still in the air. It hangs there for hours. Can you smell it?

There was a woman.

Who was she?

She seems to be a woman Jesus knew while he was staying with Simon, the one with a skin disease and not Simon Peter. While the guests were eating, this woman came in and poured perfume over Jesus’ head.

“But, Jesus, she is so wasteful. The perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
“The poor will always be around, but I won’t be around much longer.”
Mark 14:7

As the perfume wafted through the room, some of the dinner guests may have recognized the smell. It was very expensive and may have been an heirloom to be used at burial. There is much speculation about it, but we do know that the guests were quite put out.

Jesus protected her from insults by praising her action. He defended her.

Her perfume was the most valuable thing she had. And she gave it all to the Messiah.

What could our “perfume” be? Am I taking my “perfume”, my most valuable thing, and pouring it out before God, as a sacrifice of praise?

Finances? Children? Free time? Relationships?

What is most valuable to you? What are you holding onto? Just like our woman in the passage, take what we have in our hands and give it as an offering to God.

As widows, we have a unique opportunity to follow God like many others can’t. We are so incredibly dependent upon God for finances, strength, security, and love. We come to Jesus with what we have – whatever is in our hands.

As widows, there is a lot of financial advice available. Some is wise in the world’s standards and some is wise in God’s standards. We must pray for wisdom to discern between the two. We may look reckless to the world. We might even appear wasteful. But if it is done at God’s leading, He will bless our actions and will defend us.

As widows, our children may be our biggest focus. But what if our adult child has prayerfully committed to moving abroad to share the gospel? Can we give them to God? Can we put aside the fear of what if and give our children to God? What about giving to God those prodigal children?

Free Time. What if I just have time and want to keep it to myself? Could God be asking me to offer my time to watch someone’s babies so they can go to Sunday School or a Bible study? Or maybe my free time could be used behind the scenes at church for organizing or office help? Could I commit a certain time each day to pray for widows?

Let’s give what we have to God and trust Him to use it for His glory.

Father God, thank You for Your defense of widows. Help me to offer You what is most precious to me. Give me wisdom to discern Your leading in my life. When others criticize my actions, defend me before them. Thank You taking what we have, as a gift to You, a praise offering, for Your amazing love. Amen