Day 34: To sit with Christ

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Psalm 84:1-12

*Mark 14:1-11*

2 Corinthians 1:19-22


Jesus was in Bethany. He was at the table in the home of a man named Simon, who had a skin disease. A woman came with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. It was made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. ~Mark 14:3


“Poured Out” by Shannon Vianello
Recently, I visited my dad and was reminded how precious time can be.   He is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease and his wife needed a well-deserved break.  One of the days I was there, I had the chance to slow down and really listen and talk with him.  We started by taking his dog, Spirit, to the dog park where we watched the dog “hunt” squirrels.  Then we made our way over to the park’s lake where we sat on a bench and basically just… sat.  My dad was able to see birds coming in over the lake from a good distance away and he could instinctively tell me where they were going to land (yes, he was an excellent former bird hunter).  We were having such a great time overlooking the water that we decided to drive over to find a Gulf Coast beach and found a beautiful place called Howard Park, which to me was a little very tiny slice of the Florida Keys.   We rolled down the windows and let the ocean breeze in the car triggering for him good memories that he shared with me.   Finally, we made our way back to his house and finished the afternoon watching the only channel he actually watches anymore: The Golf Channel.  I have never spent so much time watching golf but somehow Dad made it really interesting. By the end of the day, I couldn’t get over how much fun we had and kept texting my sisters about what a special visit it was.
I know my dad isn’t going to live on this earth forever, none of us are.  I know the days are numbered when I’ll be able to talk to the dad I know and love. 
I can’t help but strongly identify with the woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ head.  The urgent need to show Jesus how much she loved him, to help him prepare for the end of his life and give him her best.  She may have felt like I did after my visit; thoroughly filled with love.  She poured out all she had and Jesus filled her up.



Prayer:
Lord, this woman with the oil, she did a beautiful thing for you.
a simple, beautiful thing.
Sometimes I forget how important it is just sit with you. And honor you.
Let me do that.
...because time, with you, is precious. Amen.


("We Fall Down (At the Feet of Jesus"" by Christ Tomlin)

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