Welcome to the November blog post my loves!! This will actually be the last post of the year, however, there will be a December podcast. I have started a new year of life recently, and I always tend to reflect a lot around my birthday. Every year of reflection has not been pleasant, but this year, even with the uncertainties, pain, and loss this year has brought I have to say I am thankful. For all of you!

I recently received a text from someone very special to me and they were saying how proud they were of me and they reminded me of how I was years ago in comparison to now. I was so overwhelmed! I was reminded of that girl and was almost in tears. There has been so much growth that has taken place in my life over the last few years, and you all have helped me through the process! This platform has caused me to heal and grow in areas that I didn’t even know were broken or that needed growth. It’s like another form of therapy. Although it was a great sacrifice, I had no idea that just by stepping out and being obedient, that God would use my own words to heal me. You all have been able to witness me in some very vulnerable moments, and for that I say thank you!

As I was writing I was reminded of a song by CeCe Winans called Alabaster Box. Make sure you listen to it, and allow yourself permission to cry! I loved the song and heard of the story in the Bible, but I figured there was something for me to explore. God is intentional like that. This particular account I am referencing is found in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus was invited to dinner with a group of Pharisees. For context, the Pharisees were a religious group. They were known for being self-righteous. There was a woman that was known for living a “sinful” life that came when she heard Jesus was there. Imagine the stares and whispers she got going to a place where everyone else seemed better because they had not committed the sins she had. She proves to be very courageous and her risk was great.

She came with an alabaster box filled with expensive oil. An alabaster box is usually made with marble or onyx, both are very expensive stones. It was shaped like a flask and sealed to keep the fragrance inside, typically once opened, it was to be used all at once. The woman stood behind Jesus at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume from her alabaster box on them. Simon judged her to himself, but Jesus knew what he was secretly saying and had a lesson for him! Simon was judging her for two reasons, one being that she was a sinner. The second reason was because that perfume was expensive and she could have used it elsewhere or sold it. Jesus gave Simon a parable to help him understand her need for Him. He basically stated that if a two individuals owe someone money, one $500 and one $50, if he forgives their debt, which would be more thankful? Of course the person that owes $500 should be much more thankful.

He told Simon that the way she greeted Him was the way he should have greeted Him. He knew the power of Jesus first hand, while she had just heard. Jesus forgave her because she understood that she needed Him. She sacrificed something so precious and expensive, not even knowing how she would be received by Him. That inspired me sooo much! She brought her sacrifice and He granted her forgiveness and wholeness. She lavished her love on Him because she understood just how much she needed His forgiveness. Sis, does that sound like us? If you won’t say amen, I will!

As Cece says, she came to pour her praise on Him like oil. The oil of our lives is expensive. No one knows the cost of the oil in our alabaster box! No one knows the cost of what we have endured to be who we are as well as who we are becoming! We are all precious creations carrying around the oil of God’s glory! We were created to be glory carriers, but we have to stay connected to Him, lavishing him with love and adoration, and sharing our alabaster moments with others so they may overcome as well.

Though this may seem like a small sacrifice to you, God sees my need of Him by sharing these vulnerable moments with you. I have always been very closed off, letting no one in and nothing out, so to me it is a HUGE leap of faith. He is allowing me to be forgiven, forgive myself, and forgive others through this entity. He is allowing me to be in a place of self-discovery and transparency where I CANNOT AFFORD to be without His love and forgiveness. As I am pouring out my oil, He is renewing, refreshing, and replenishing. Showing me more areas where I need His grace and I need to apply His grace to others. I often feel like the above mentioned woman when I am pouring out the things I have held so close, not knowing how others will perceive my thoughts, feelings, or truth. I thank you for walking with me, reading, supporting, and not judging my sacrifice as I pour my oil.

I pray that we all see ourselves in this nameless woman. That we will recognize our need for Him and develop an intimacy that will change our lives. I pray that we will be intentional about making time to be intimate with God. Time that will provide us with healing, freedom, peace, and joy. That we will lavish our love on Him. That we come with the intention to give him all the oil in our vials, no matter who is watching! That we will be replenished as we go forth to shake up the world. Amen! Have a wonderful Holiday Season, no matter how that looks this year. I love you all and I am eternally thankful for you!