What Mary did

When Mary broke her alabaster box full of expensive oil on Jesus, her intentions were misconstrued. She was condemned by many even Jesus' disciples for wasting such precious and very costly oil. In their beration of her "unacceptable" action, her character was also brought into question in Luke 7:37 "a woman in that town who lived a sinful life".
Despite the negativity around her and her somewhat warped reputation, there was something beautiful about what Mary did.
Mary saw an opportunity: it was six days before the passover, when Jesus would be crucified. She knew her lord would be taken from her soon so instead of reveling like others were, she chose to do something eternity would appreciate. What better time than that moment to bless her master as she knew he would not be coming that way again. SHE SEIZED THE MOMENT. She saw an opportunity and took it.

She gave: Jesus was always the one giving so she decided to turn the tables around this time. Mary recalled that Jesus brought her brother back after he had died and was buried three days. Death to man is the final fontire but Jesus crossed that frontier and brought back life. I'm sure never in Mary's wildest imagination had she thought that those grave clothes that held her brother Lazarus bound will ever be loosened nor the tomb that sealed and separated the living from the dead would ever be opened except at resurrection but at His Word "Lazarus came forth"; his grave clothes unbound and tomb stone rolled away. What an  amazing love. How can one repay such feat? That moment in Bethany was her opportunity to say "thank you". The hand that gave was small but the heart that received was large.

Picture credit:www.tyrellmara.com

She Appreciated: you can rarely separate appreciation and giving. Mary had witnessed the many miracles that Jesus had performed and she'd also had the opportunity to learn at the Master's feet first hand and in close proximity. Her giving was a show of her appreciation.
She gave something of worth: the bible describes her gift as costly Infact one of the disciples put a price tag to it " why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarius and givenlisted to the poor" John 12:5. My dear, for all Jesus had she couldn't just give anything, she gave something of worth and heaven noticed.
She was generous: Mary was not miserly with her offering, the bible says "she poured a flask of costly oil on Jesus", in other words she soaked Jesus with her offering. She drenched his clothes in expensive oil!
Her giving caused a furore : Mary did not only grab heaven's attention, her giving also caused a furore in that small room. People will sometimes misconstrue your intention and even label you negatively. The disciples labeled her giving "a waste". Her giving was so much that it irked the people in that room.
It is the Jesus opinion that matters: People will always have an opinion about what you do or what you are but it is the opinion of Jesus that matters. The disciples called her generous offering a waste but Jesus called it "a beautiful thing" Matthew 26:10. I will Take Jesus opinion anytime.
Lessons from Mary

• Opportunities abound around us
• Seize the moment.
• Appreciate 
• Give.
• Let your giving be generous
• Let your motives be selfless and genuine.
• Give your best-don't pinch corners
• People will always talk but it heaven's opinion that matters
• Never mind the crowd follow your heart.

Wow! What amazing lessons from a simple gesture from a pure heart. My heart beats for this woman's misunderstood offering. I know what it means to be so blessed and you wonder how to say thank you, bacause this has been a long post I'll what I mean in my next post.  

Every Little Helps

€100 might not mean a lot to many people but it was exactly what *Kathy* needed to sort her daughter's music lessons. Unemployed and single, getting by financially was hard enough without adding the extra burden of music lessons but her daughter loved singing. Little *Tabitha* needed a new guitar as her old one was broken but there was no way her mum could afford a new one at the moment. Not being able to provide for a child is any parent's dilemma and Kathy was no different.
But she turned her concerns to the one who can.

That morning Kathy had come to church broke without even the requisite money for offering. Imagine her surprise when an usher gave her an envelop with her name on it. An anonymous person had dropped the envelop in the offering basket with a note for her. It was specifically addressed as a contribution towards her daughter's new guitar. I CALL THAT A MIRACLE! Even as I write this article, Kathy does not know who gave her the gift.

We all need a miracle don't we?  A confirmation that God's got our back when the bills are pouring in or the medical report aint that encouraging. What's your trust gauge in the wake of challenges? Like Kathy do you trust God and expect a miracle or do you throw in the towel and panic.
CENTRAL TRUTH: God is still in the business of doing the supernatural. HE HAS NOT CHANGED. If He has to cause manna to rain from heaven for your sake He will. Don't worry about the method of provision TRUST THE PROVIDER.

God can do anything all by Himself but He wants you and I as part of the process. God wants to involve you in performing miracles in the lives of others. WHAT A PRIVILEGE. Remember the story of how Jesus turned water into wine in John 2:1-11? The servants had to fill jars with water-fetching water and filling the jars was their role in that miracle process. I'm sure after the miracle happened they made a boast about how they logged jars after jars of water for Jesus. I WOULD!

God desires that we become conduit of His blessings-no more hanging on the sidelines. The €100 did not solve all of my friend's financial issues but it was one less problem for her to fuss about. It was a €100 she did not have earlier that day. IT WAS UNEXPECTED YET APPRECIATED. That's the benefit of helping others. Your gift no matter how little will help assuage the other person's challenges.You may not be able to single handedly end world poverty or eradicate hunger but you can make a difference in one life.

 There is something beautiful about helping others. ITS INDESCRIBABLE. You have to experience it to know it. According to my people "at all, at all, na im bad pass". This simply means, not giving anything is worse than giving a little.
Be part of the change. Be a conduit of God's miracle. Be part of the process.  Don't go worrying about what  little help you can give  because that little might just be all the help a person needs. Remember, EVERY LITTLE HELPS even if its a smile or a hug.

Facts About Giving.

This year has been truly magical for me (its not over yet still expecting more miracles and breakthroughs..abi nah). I have experienced the love of God in more ways than I can count or explain even in the disappointments. I am naturally a very content person hardly expecting much from people but always eager to help out. I LOVE TO GIVE. Like I tell my friends GIVING MAKES ME HIGH..lol. In the build up to Christmas  I have received gifts from unexpected places and people. I have also given when it seemed impossible to give. ITS WHO I AM. Giving is such a beautiful act. Every time people give, I am reminded about the generosity of God and the ultimate gift of Jesus. Lets examine certain truths about giving in no particular order.

FACTS ABOUT GIVING.

•  When God gives, He not only attends to the things you need, He also provides those things that you never knew you needed and probably never prayed about. That's why HE IS GOD.

Photo Credit:www.lovethispic.com

He knows you more than you know yourself. GOD HAS INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF YOU.

• God uses people-you are created as a conduit of blessing. Everyman is a channel for reaching out to the world.  The blessings, talents, gifts that you have are not meant for selfish purposes but as an outreach to a world in need.
• Little is something- I love supermarket chain Tesco's tag-line "every little helps". Every cent can go a long way to alleviate the need of another. What you consider little or insignificant might just be the right amount of assistance a family in need requires to survive another day.

  

  photo Credit;www.classicalchristianity.com

• If you cannot give from the "little" you've got there's a small chance that you'll give when you've got "much". however since "much" is a relative concept wonder when that is? If you cant give from the thousands in your piggy bank, you definitely wont give when when you have millions. The true hallmark of giving is the ability to give even when you barely have "enough". Mark 12:41-44. When God gave mankind the gift of Jesus he did not have a spare son to replace the one He'd given up/out.
• Giving does not stem from what you have or don't but from an understanding and trust in God's ability to take care of you. Phil 4:19
• It is an act of love. John 3:16
• its more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
• Giving should be done joyfully and not grudgingly. Corinthians 9:17.

  

  Photo Credit:www.ubdavid.com

• Its an act of worship.
• Expect a reward. What is a better reward than knowing you've made a difference in the life of another. Nonetheless when God gave the gift of one, he received the multiple result of you and I alongside a lost world.
• Giving can be learnt.
• Giving should be an increasing or progressive act/attitude
• it does not entail money alone.
• Giving is intentional
• You don't really need a reason to give, JUST GIVE. 

  

  Photo Credit:www.ncregister.com

Don't let this season pass without sharing with another person. Remember "EVERY LITTLE HELPS"

Give Willingly

There is nothing as upsetting as a gift that is given grudgingly. It is not only upsetting but downright disrespectful to the recipient.  The gift no matter the cost also losses its intrinsic value as  the recipient may not appreciate it knowing it's given grudgingly and not out of love. Both the giver and the recipient are therefore ultimately hurt in the process.

 What a platter of complication!! As a little girl when I wanted something badly, I'd, harangue my mother maybe not angrily but enough to get my way. In exasperation she'd grudgingly yield the object of my desire with a loud "gba je kin simi". "Gba je kin simi" is a statement in Yoruba which means "take and let me rest" implying an object is being handed over so the giver could have some semblance of rest or peace of mind.

 As a child it didn't matter how I was given the object of my desire as long as I got it, shikena! But not any more! I want a gift that is spurred from love not coercion.

In Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, he spoke highly about the Macedonian church who gave  as much as they could not out of compulsion but willingly. The emphasis was on the act of giving and its ensuing attitude . The gift  is important but so also is the condition of giving i.e. how it is given."for if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have" 2 Corinthian 8:12. 

God sets the perfect example on how to give. "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for all of us all-how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things" Romans 8:32.
To give graciously infers giving freely, generously, joyfully and liberally. How exciting!!
This attitude encompasses every aspect of giving, yourself, gifts, emotion. Never give anything half heartedly, it only demeans the gift. When next you give, check your heart and give willingly.

A Good deed.

I don't care that some people have lost the ability to be humane and most times unappreciative, I still believe in doing good. Life is not about how people treat you but how you respond in return is what sets you apart from the rest. Being good does not have to involve an herculean task even a simple kind gesture could go a long way in helping someone and it leaves a lasting impression. Several years ago, I was so broke and had no one to ask for help. Imagine being alone and disabled in a foreign country with a little child and no source of income. Survival was paramount on my mind but where would I start given my peculiar situation. Out of frustration, I refused to attend church the following Sunday. I was unhappy and didn't want to be in the midst of people especially church people-I just wanted to wallow in self pity and bemoan my plight to the universe. But as it is with the universe, I never got my request rather the last person I wanted to see came knocking. You see Sister Lara is one of those rare church sisters that always had a smile for everyone. Her smile was not pretentious but stemmed from a sincere desire to transform lives one smile at a time. We weren't particularly close so I was shocked to see her at my doorsteps. She'd somehow noticed my absence at service and wanted to check if all was well. The thing is,this Sister could have easily gotten my phone number as she'd easily got my house number but that was not her modus operandi-she had to come see herself. What touched me about her visit was despite my every attempt to send her away with a flimsy excuse regarding my one time absence from church, she just wouldn't buy it(wouldn't want to have her as an enemy serious such tenacity from a pint size lady!). I was literally forced to tell her my financial situation. "Is that all"? she asked with a smile. to cut the story short, she reprimanded me for missing service bla bla, prayed and encouraged me not to miss church the following sunday. No big deal in that narration is it? The following Sunday, I dutifully attended church. My financial situation had not changed but I decided to give God another chance..lol. Waiting for me after service was sister Lara who discreetly handed me an envelop containing enough money to tide me over for a while. She'd discussed my plight with the church welfare board and the church had come to my rescue. I was overwhelmed at the gesture given that the church was small and over half of her members unemployed. You see the church did not have much but was still able to give from the little it had. I am a natural giver but more so since that day. I don't care for arguments about pastors that use church funds to finance lavish lifestyles-leave them-they will answer to God. You play your part and let God handle His. Malachi 3:10"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it". The church is able to fend for people in need like myself at that time as a result of people's obedience to scripture. Generosity should not be relegated to the church alone but should encompass your immediate sphere. The Irish Charity sector has been rocked by scandal lately following accusations of misappropriation of funds by some charity organistions. This has in turn affected peoples' attitude to giving money to charitable causes. I know people feel betrayed as the monies were meant to finance charitable projects and not fund lavish life styles for a few greedy people. Be that as it may, I have not allowed that singular issue stop me from doing what I know is right-GIVING. Besides the reward of giving, the act itself is uplifting.Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." So don't tire of giving and doing a good deed-it goes full circle back to you. P.S I did a good deed today, wasnt't much. I kept flashing my headlamps at oncoming vehicles to warn them of a speed camera van ahead. some acknowledged my warning by flashing back while others simply ignored the crazy African woman harrassing them with her lights...lol.It seems silly doesn't it? but I FELT EPIC.

Barely enough is MORE THAN ENOUGH.

Love is a beautiful feeling isn't? Everyone desires to love and be loved in return. Beyond the mushy feeling and exchange of endearment, I have learnt love is a choice and decision. People don't just fall or trip head over heels in love, that's kids’ stuff. Real love is a conscious effort and decision by responsible adults to pour the best of each other into one another; to serve and be served. It is not a blind eyed decision or a tingling sensation running down one's spine. It's a conscious choice sustained by hard work and commitment. My good friend and special boo shared with me that love cannot be defined by itself but can be described by its attributes such as kindness, forgiveness, sharing, etc. Since every human is born with the innate desire to be loved, it’s a wonder why many people make very poor choices in love. This can be blamed on a warped societal concept, sexualisation and commercialization of love. For those who'd been hurt in love, climbing back on love's merry wagon becomes an arduous and painful task; you worry if your love will be reciprocated or even wonder if you have any more of yourself to give. I'm not an expert on love but I do understand God's kind love. This kind of love is about giving, not just anything but the best of you even when it’s inconvenient... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This kind of love is neither selfish nor blind. "But I've given away the best of me and only get hurt in the end", you say. Well, take a closer look, deep within you'll find there is still something to give. Don't believe me? Let me tell you a story about a lady who found herself in a very painful situation and was still expected to be generous with her next to nothing provision. Death had stolen from her and hunger now threatens to squash what was left. She had nothing left in the world except a hunger riddled son and a "handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug" 1 king 17:12. This woman had a lot working against her. She was a widow-a dead broke widow at that-with a young mouth to feed. She had lost the one she calls darling; the man that plants tiny kisses on her nose every morning and made sure there were provisions for the long winter night. She'd lost her husband and best friend. Now she faces losing the one thing that's left of him to hunger. In the throes of her pain, waltzed in Elijah requesting to eat from what's barely enough for her family. HABA!!!! Elijah could have gone anywhere but God sent him to this particular woman who had "barely enough". I believe God wanted her to overcome her fear of giving, get her focus off her inadequacies and unto a generous God, that's why Elijah came knocking at her door. "Do not fear...make me a small cake from it first and bring it to me" I Kings 17:13. I perfectly understand the woman's reluctance and dilemma. The truth is for people who'd been hurt one too many times, the fear of being hurt again underlies their reluctance to be love or better still give love. But I love this widow’s bravery! She dared to pour the little she had into God's able hands and she experienced such an awesome infinite supply. She didn't hold back the little she had but poured into the right vessel-GOD’S VESSEL. I know what it means to be broken, hurt and emptied of joy but in giving to others in service, I've been replenished. So you think you have nothing to give or are you afraid to give yourself, take a cue from the widow at Zarepheth and you’ll realise that when “barely enough” is poured into God, it becomes “more than enough”.

Everyday a CHRISTMAS

She calls me her "Christmas buddy" because we get to chat only on Christmas day. My friend is a fantastic lady but for some inexplicable reason Christmas is the only time we get to connect and spend hours on the phone catching up. After the excitement of the day is over, it takes another 364 days or the odd 365 for us to reconnect again. A lot of us are familiar with this cycle. When I was growing up my brothers attended church only on the 24th of December to herald the birth of Jesus and after that Jesus is shoved back to the angels till the next Christmas eve. It was a ritual that took years and eventually concerted efforts by their wives to break. Christmas for a lot of people is the only opportunity to pamper and get pampered then its back to the doldrums of daily living. Where I live, the Christmas lights have finally been removed from the streets after many weeks of brightening the night skies and many hearts. Even the bravest person has put away the much celebrated Christmas tree and decorations. It’s all back in storage till the next season. The festive buzz has died out and everything and everyone is finally back to normal. However, normalcy for some is trying to pay off huge bills incurred to buy gifts and decorations for loved ones. Some debts are up to the value of €2,000. Ironically, most of these lovingly and painstakingly purchased gifts end up being sold on eBay or done deal described simply as unwanted Christmas presents. Some are even planning for the next Christmas already by joining much advertised savings schemes geared towards having a debt free Christmas. I miss the spontaneous laughter and greetings that filled the air in the build-up to Christmas; everyone smiling and happy just because it’s Christmas (even enemies become friends for a day, problems forgotten). It’s like the reality of Christmas and the message it brings, the festive cheer and well wishes have simply varnished till December 2013; the spirit of celebration boxed away like the trees and tinsels used to represent it. Already everywhere you turn its gloomy faces of people hit with financial worries, health scare and family crises. But it doesn't have to be that way. Beyond the commercialisation of Christmas, the message of this great celebration is timeless and can't be put in storage. It shouldn't be put away in a small corner of our hearts and pulled out like a magician's trick if and when necessary. IT IS AN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE. The mere reason that today is not 25th of December doesn’t change the reality of GOD WITH US. Remember, in all that you go through GOD IS WITH YOU and not stored away in storage or in heaven waiting to appear once a year. Everyday offers new opportunities to be embraced by the love of God and be reminded of His faithfulness. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23. So cheer up! The calendar might say Christmas is over but in my heart every day is Christmas.". "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." Mathew 1:23