Key Verse: John 12:3 (ESV): Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
In middle school, my sister wanted to spend all her money on a bottle of perfume from the local mall. Birthdays, babysitting, and begging for the difference got her enough money to head to the department store and purchase the treasured triangular bottle from the glass case. It had a floral, woodsy scent, of lilies and freesia. For months she carefully positioned each pump on her clothes to not waste a drop, using it all on herself.
Resources we have found for our family to help prepare our hearts for Christmas during the Advent season.
Tetelestai
It is finished.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30, ESV
Our salvation was accomplished on the cross so many years ago. The power of the cross for the past, present, and continuing forever for our freedom.
Thank you Jesus.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
My middle class neighborhood is tucked amongst trees and green grass painted in between the blacktop roads. Anyone driving by would not known or seen the desperation of my soul as I sipped my coffee with my husband on the front porch. As I look back to my early 30s I remember feeling trapped, although I was blessed with so much. Somehow I had lots of friends, yet still was lonely. No one really knew what I was feeling, and really I'm not sure I did either.
We can so often go through each day feeling trapped, alone, in this busy world.
When faced with anxious times, it is easy to set our focus on the worst case scenario or even try to numb ourselves with a Netflix binge or music. Rather than seeking to avoid or allowing ourselves to sink deeper, we can turn to our Helper, Creator, Savior. We cannot "wish" or try to will the anxiety away, but if we seek God in his Word, we will see that he is our refuge, strength and all-powerful, and we cannot live in peace without him.
