Faith, Family, and a Broken Jar

Thursday, January 8th
Faith, Family and a Broken Jar
By: Sheila Sonon

I wrestle with an extraordinary question: How can I be “all in” for God when my calendar is already all in for everyone else?

In Luke 7, we see a moment of radical devotion. Mary pours out an alabaster jar of expensive perfume at Jesus’ feet. No measuring, no saving a little for later. She breaks the jar so it can never be reused. Total surrender. Meanwhile, I’m over here juggling work, track schedules, making sure laundry is finished, cleaning, driving 120 miles round trip for work and wondering if singing my worship music in the car counts as quiet time with God.

Mary’s worship was extravagant—giving God her absolute best, not leftovers squeezed in between responsibilities. Judas, however, criticizes her, hiding greed behind “practical” concerns. Luke tells us his issue wasn’t waste; it was loss. Mary’s surrender exposed what he held onto. And if I’m honest, sometimes my alabaster box isn’t my regrets or my secrets—it’s my time and remembering to invite God in. 

Jesus helps us understand Mary’s heart in Luke 7:47: “Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” Mary loved deeply because she knew she was deeply forgiven. Her worship flowed from gratitude, not obligation.

Here’s the comforting truth for us - being “all in” doesn’t require long, uninterrupted hours of prayer or perfectly marked Bibles. God knows the season we’re in. He’s not asking for polished devotion—He’s asking for surrendered moments. A whispered prayer while folding laundry. A surrendered sigh before game time.. A heart that says, “Lord, I want to give You my best, even when my best feels small.”

True surrender isn’t about having more time; it’s about inviting God into the time we already have. And somehow, in our chaos, He receives it as worship—and calls it beautiful.