April 1

She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial. — Mark 14:8 BSB

Many would have kept the jar of perfume until Jesus had died and then broken it to anoint His cold body. That’s how too many of us behave today. We wait until our friend has passed away to send flowers or speak words of appreciation. Shouldn’t we learn from Mary? The kind words we intend to speak after our friends are gone—let’s say them while they can still hear. The flowers we plan to send for their funeral—let’s give them now to brighten their path. The epitaphs we wish to carve on marble—let’s express in gentle deeds while our friends are still with us. People crave words of cheer today.

“Withhold all eulogies when I am dead,
All noisy sorrow;
Give me the tender word today
Instead of tears tomorrow.”