MonroeOHUMC

Monday, April 14, 2025 Scripture: Mark 14:3-9 Devotion: There are moments in life when our actions seem small, fragile, even foolish in the eyes of others. That’s how the woman’s offering in Bethany was received. While others saw waste, Jesus saw beauty. While they criticized, He honored. She broke the jar. It couldn’t be resealed. It was an all-in, no-turning-back kind of love. Jesus was days away from betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. He knew the road ahead, and this woman’s act gave Him something no one else did: presence, tenderness, and reverence in a time of approaching darkness. Sometimes, the most meaningful things we do won’t make headlines or win applause. Sometimes our faithfulness looks like small kindnesses, silent prayers, quiet sacrifices, or choosing to stay when it’s hard. Like the woman in Bethany, you may not always see the outcome—but your offering matters. When we bring our “broken jars” to Jesus—the things we once tried to hold together, the dreams w...

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Scripture: John 12:1–3 Devotion: Mary’s act in John 12 begins simply: she takes a pound of perfume—nard, imported, costly—and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Then, with no words, she wipes them with her hair. The house fills with fragrance. This is a moment of embodied worship —a love that doesn’t need words, a presence that lingers. In a world that often demands productivity and proof, Mary gives us a picture of presence and attention. She recognizes something sacred in Jesus and chooses not to miss it. Sometimes we think church must be loud or busy to be meaningful. But maybe a truly different kind of church smells like devotion—like the lingering scent of love poured out without expectation of return. Action Steps: Light a candle or diffuse a fragrance and sit in stillness for 5 minutes. Let it be your quiet offering to God. Do something with your hands today—clean, serve, or create—as a prayer in motion. Leave space in yo...