There is a scripture passage that came SCREAMING down from on high this morning. It was the passage where Jesus was having his feet washed with perfumed oil (the really expense stuff!) by a woman with long hair. Scripture tells us the apostles were furious this woman would WASTE the perfumed oil on Jesus' feet when the oil could have been sold and money given to feed the hungry.
It is a great passage that I've heard many times throughout the years, but today it came with a twist. Having worked in "church life" for fifteen years the passage was typically focused one of two ways. Sometimes it was used to explain why, in a world so rich in resources, we still had poverty. And other times, it seemed more of a motivator for Stewardship, especially tithing money to the church - If the woman was spilling her treasure out on Jesus ... shouldn't you? But THIS time it was a totally different story! THIS time I was encouraged to tell a friend to BE Jesus!!! WOW!
Be Jesus in this story for just one minute.
Place yourself in a really cushy seat. Imagine a very attractive person is positioning themselves at your feet and massaging your tootsies with perfumed oil. Mmmmmmm ... let the smell greet your senses, feel your body begin to relax, let all of the cares of life pass you by. YUM! And when the world starts chiming in to say, "There is work to be done!" simply respond, "There will always be work to be done." while you continue to enjoy the pedicure.
What a great way to begin to practice self-love. So often in our lives we take such great care of others, but we forget to take care of ourselves. We easily give up plans to help out a friend; we give away our vacation money to help a child through a tough spot; we give up personal time to help finish a work project .... we give ... we give ... we give. We have been taught to be givers, but you can't keep giving if you are not receiving! You simply can't ... you'd be throughly depleted.
Take a moment and consider.
How often do you stop and assess your own needs? How often do you sit and let yourself be pampered? What is stopping you from doing so? Jesus led by example. He allowed himself time to think, time away, time to have his tootsies rubbed! He said, love others as you love yourself. How are you practicing self-love? This week I hope you enjoy pedicure blessings!
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