Jewells of Thought

These pictures from the Passion Week Articles are one picture each one building to the bigger picture. My cousin gave me a few of his extra pictures from his trip with his parents to Israel. This photo spoke to me, I suppose as a historian the number 12 and the history of Israel and his sons. On Sunday the pieces will reveal the entire picture within the conclusive article of the Easter Series.

Good Friday was a spontaneous day for me. This year, the day also corresponded with my parents 39th Wedding Anniversary. As they are celebrating together on a rendezvous for two I have had two events to decide between.

Until eating with my uncle and younger brother I had decided to have a peaceful night writing. God had other plans for the three of us. A phone call from mom sent us to Grandma’s new residence where her brother-in-law was one of the 6 men in a band playing that evening. It was deja vu.

When this band sang ‘Hound Dog’ my mind went back to 2019 pre-Covid Saturday afternoon. Grandma Rosie in her last nursing home, she loved this special time of music. It was this same band, but there was at least one lady at that time in the group. Grandma took my hand and held it fight, I can still remember her firm grip on me even as I sat next to Grandma Betty.

God pulled me in this direction for a reason. Due to this decision I missed my own church’s Tenebrae Service. Having missed a couple of family visits in the past week and a half made this seem more important. Out of our large family knowing some had other arrangements I had still expected a couple others to attend. One of my aunts made it to the little concert and left early with her husband. So we were able to help assist Grandma back to her apartment and converse for still another half an hour. The evening felt special and something the four of us each needed for individual reasons.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. I wanted to have some sweet time to myself and God told me I needed to be socially engaged with my Grandma, my last living grandparent. How could I refuse… when I know how precious my time is with the ones I love. Previous experience shows me I have to take advantage of sweet moments in life and this was one of those.

It’s funny how I have learned this lesson before, but God had to physically change my day for me to listen. I got so hardwired into a certain rhythm that God had to mix my day up for me to make different decisions. Do you ever feel this way? Perhaps this is my lesson to re-learn from this Easter weekend. Embrace more spontaneity through God’s will.

Even a woman in the New Testament made an impression from a decision she personally came to. Was it inspiration or spontaneous? Is there a difference? Christ said she had done a good thing for Him, even at the outrage of others in the house of Simon. Possibly himself was put off by her actions, however, she did not waver from her duty to do so.

In Matthew 26:6 “Now when Jesus was in Bethany,” and “a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment”. Then this lady, “poured it on His head, as he sat at meant” verse 7. Scripture also has these details, “in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper…a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard…she brake the box, and poured it on His head” Mark 14:3.

Would I have had the foresight or courage to do something incredible like that? Would you?

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will we may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Mark 14:7-9

Have a Happy Resurrection Sunday Tomorrow!