Jane Ann Crenshaw - 2nd Sunday Morning Glory

A Beautiful Thing

B eauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know what is beautiful to me, and you know what is beautiful to you. Many times, I have used the story of Mary anointing Jesuss feet. There is so much beauty in these passages. So much emotion! In the book of Mark, I saw something beautiful. I saw something revealing about Jesus.

In chapter 14, we read the story of a dinner party held at the home of Simon the Leper.

According to my studies, Simon was married to Martha, the sister of Mary. While the men were reclining at the table, Mary came in with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard. She broke it and poured it over Jesuss head. Some were indignant and made comments about wasting this perfume that could have been sold and the money given to the poor. If you recall, Judas was one of these men! Jesus said, Let her alone! Why do you bother her? She has done a beautiful thing to me! (Mark 14:3, RSV). Jesus submitted to Marys love and devotion and called it beautiful!

Because of my brother Lloyds inability to walk well anymore, or even to bathe completely, Gene and Joetta would make a trip to his house just to wash Lloyds feet. When my sister started doing this, she could get down on the floor easily. As time moved on, she would sit on a stool. No matter how she felt, she would wash and manicure his feet. Looking back on this, I know that everyone had taken their turn doing things for Lloyd, but no one thought to do that for him, wash his feet, except Joetta. Lloyd suffered much with his paralysis, and Joetta suffered much with rheumatoid arthritis. I never heard her pain! As she did this beautiful thing to Lloyd, she also was doing a beautiful thing to Jesus! I can still see her doing this, and I am still aware that I never heard her pain!

Have you thought about what you have done to Jesus that is a beautiful thing? When I consider Joettas story, I feel ashamed! What have I done to Jesus that He would consider a beautiful thing? When I ask Jim about this, he reminds me of when Jesus was speaking of the judgment in Matthew 25:3146. He speaks of a time when I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothe me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me! (Matthew 25:3537, RSV). Are we aware of the beautiful things we do to Jesus?

The righteous asked, When did we do these things? Jesus says, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Matthew 25:45b, RSV). Does he mean the church? Does he mean the stranger on the highways and byways of life?

I imagine you and I have done beautiful things to Jesus when we have called upon the sick, visited those in prison, helped by bringing food and clothing for the poor. I imagine you and I have done beautiful things to Jesus when we shared financially with causes that benefit the poor. When we love one another! I believe when we do these things willingly, including our tithes and offerings, we are doing a beautiful thing to Jesus! Husbands, love your wives; Wives, be submissive to your husbands, for this is a beautiful thing to Jesus!

The apostles and the disciples did a beautiful thing to Jesus when establishing the church.

When we think of missionaries all over the world who suffer, when we think of the pastors and elders shepherding their flocks, we should see these as beautiful things to Jesus. God refers to these things as a beautiful fragrance! He can smell them! He loves them!

If Jesus could submit to Mary, why is it so hard for us to submit to Jesus, in serving others?

Forgive me, Lord, when I fail you, for the desire of my heart is to serve you! When I am writing Sunday Morning Glory , I never know where it will lead. Today I am at the foot of the cross where Jesus said, Forgive them; they know not what they do! Oh, what a beautiful thing He has done to us! God so loved us He did a beautiful thing by sending His son to save us! That is more than wonderful!

A Grieving Burst

F irst of all, I still find it hard to think of my brother Lynn being gone almost nine years!

Conversely, wow , he has been in heaven for eight years! I know I have asked this question before, but I want to put it out there again: Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? I heard the professor, Dale Tacket, of the Truth Project ask that question! Profound to say the least! However, I really believe that what I believe is really real; and I pray you do too.

My grief experiences through the past fifty plus years have brought me to the realization that I do not grieve without hope. My hope is in Jesus Christ, and I believe in the promises of our heavenly Father. All is well with my soul! But grief, although not a stranger to me, is still something that I struggle with.

Because Lynn lived 250 plus miles from me, I did not see him often. When I did, it was as though we had never been apart. For many years, Lynn and Kathleen shared in our anniversary celebrations and we in theirs. We married January 27, and they were married on January 28. We had some wonderful experiences together, and I still miss those times as couples! I admit, I didnt want to let him go; I did not want to experience, once again, the loss of another loved one.

I remember the last time I saw Lynn and how I felt walking away from the hospital. I remember my loud bursts of anguish and loss. I remember Jim and my sister Joyce trying to console me! I didnt want comfort. I wanted to go back in that room. I wanted to be with Lynn!

The night Lynn died, I had a dream. The dream was so real! I kept repeating over and over, I cant do this again! I dont want to do this again! In the morning when I was awake, I felt like I was still in the dream. Jim tried to comfort me, but I could only sob and sob!

In talking with my friend, Iona Kay, she comforted me with You are normal! This is called a grief burst! I dont entirely understand that concept, but those who have walked through grief and have shared within circles of grief and have attended workshops and conferences have a better understanding of what the body goes through during grief. Iona Kay has been there!

I have tried to control my periods of grief. I have tried to be uplifting and encouraging to those who have and who are still grieving. At this time, I can accept the encouragement from those who love me and understand. I can look back and see my grief, but at the same time, I am comforted, knowing that Gods promises are always true. He has a place for me, and it is the same place that my loved ones are reveling in, right now!

Proverbs is full of pithy sayings that show contrasts. Once in a while, you will find one that says exactly what you need. Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains (Proverbs 14:13, NLT). God helps us to overcome grief, but the loss is still felt!

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5b, RSV).

Everything looks fresh and new in the morning. As the day begins again, so can you begin again, with a fresh start. A new resolve! With the peace that passes all understanding!

With life comes death! With death comes the awakening! What have you chosen to wake up to? What could be your home when you move from this place? Have you given it much thought? Have you taken it seriously, or is it something you talk about with friends and cross your fingers behind your back? This decision is the most important decision you can make.

Jesus came so that we could come to the Father and live with Him eternally! Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6, RSV).