I wish

I could sit at Your feet, Jesus

look into Your eyes

and hear Your beautiful voice

I wish

I could pour out expensive perfume

over You

in adoration

crying tears of gratitude

and wiping them with my hair

I wish

I could touch the hem of Your robe

crowd not distracting

my attention on You

I wish I could follow You

from town to town

taking in Your brilliance

gleaning wisdom

from Your deep words

I wish

I could see Your lovely face

and just be with You

but You have chosen me

for this time and place

for a reason

And in my mind and heart

I will seek Your face

I will look into Your heart

I will listen for Your voice

and I will be sitting at Your feet

pouring out my best

for You

– Susie Stewart

Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over His head.

Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

– Mark 14:3-9 (NLT)

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed Him and made Him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word He said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t You care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

– Luke 10:38-42 (MSG)

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took His twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples.

– Luke 8:1-3 (NLT)

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against You.”

But Jesus said, “Someone touched Me; I know that power has gone out from Me.”

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at His feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched Him and how she had been instantly healed. Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

– Luke 8:43-48 (NIV)

Photo by Susie Stewart