Budzban: Displays of love bring joy to to the giver

“You will always have the poor among you; but you will not always have me.” #8212; John 12 :8 (NIV)By Annettee Budzban

Reading biblical accounts with the idea in mind, #147;How does this relate to my life?#148; can help us improve our relationship with God.

Since we#146;re in the midst of a changing season, what a wonderful time of year to revive our hearts to be passionate to live our lives according to God#146;s plan for us.

Jesus was invited by a friend in the nearby town of Bethany for dinner. However, in the middle of the meal a woman breaks an alabaster jar of expensive perfume on him. As the sweet aroma penetrates the air, others are perplexed by this strange act.

Jesus realizes it is an act of kindness toward him and is moved by her generosity. The alabaster jar of perfume was no cheap cologne. You would have to buy one of the most expensive priced perfumes at today#146;s cosmetic counters to equal what this woman spent to show her generosity.

We shatter the alabaster jar each time we forget the expense, and our own comfort and convenience, to go out of our way to help someone else.

Sometimes that person might be right within our own household, such as when parents stop to help their child with a project or spends a little playtime after a long day at work. This woman gave this act of generosity in the middle of a meal. Maybe just relating with our spouse or loved ones over dinner could be all it takes.

Love is costly #8212; that#146;s why Jesus approved of the woman#146;s example. Each time we are willing to put our own agendas aside and give of ourselves, we have broken the power of greed and selfishness and allowed the sweet aroma of understanding, and giving to overpower our lives.

We derive more from our giving than we will ever know. Our acts of generosity to another have a way of having everlasting effects on our lives and on the lives we touch by them.

Jesus left this world to go to his heavenly place. The poor, as well as friends and family in need, will always be with us. Doing an act similar to breaking the alabaster jar in our own lives is a choice only we can make. The joy is that we touch another and unknowingly touch Jesus#146; heart (as this woman did), when we are willing to make an outrageous effort of love.

Ÿ Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted by email at Annetteebudzban@aol.com