ALABASTER JAR

We have a househelper whom we fondly called "jao li" because it is the name of the facial care that she used on her face. Anyway, jao li is very diligent in her chores like cleaning the house to the extent that you will not find the things in the place where you used to put them. When she was in Negros (our hometown), my father sometimes lost his temper because his things was not in the place where he puts it. Good thing however, is that she will not steal.

My point here, is that no matter how diligent we are in what we do if it is not in line with God's will it will not make God smile.

Let me tell you another story about Martha and Mary in the bible. Martha and Mary are sisters. When Jesus was invited in their house in honor of Lazarus coming back to life, Martha was distracted with much serving while Mary took a pint of pure nard (alabaster jar), an expensive perfume worth a year's wages. So, Martha went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has CHOSEN the GOOD PORTION, which will not be taken away from her. In the same act, Judas Iscariot objected by saying, why wasn's this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. But Jesus said, leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.(Luke 10:38-42; John 12:2-8)

I am not saying though that it is not good to do household chores...hehehe...my point is that let us check our motives and purpose if it is in line with God's will. No one is exempted including me. Let us be like Mary and not Martha.