While I was studying in the New Testament, I came across this passage in the book of Luke chapter 7:
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.This woman KNEW who her Savior was, and she wanted to give him thanks, so she did everything she possibly could.
Naturally, the Pharisees were not happy about Christ allowing such a "sinner" to wash His feet:
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it,he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.Christ took this as a teaching opportunity, to help the Pharisee understand, rather than chistizing him, the Savior taught him.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgavethem both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
I love this story. Even though this woman had been carrying around a load of sins, the Savior forgave her. Because of her sins, she loved the Savior more than he who had few sins. This story taught me a lot about gratitude. Gratitude leads to action, we cannot just be grateful and do nothing in return. The Savior has done EVERYTHING for each and every one of us, He knows us perfectly, loves us perfectly, and carries us through our sins and imperfections. I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice for me.
This principle is amazingly demonstrated by a couple I met in my first area, the Bakers. Before they joined the church, Brother Baker was a drunk. He was not a good person, (I can share this all because they told me I could) Sister Baker was on the brink of leaving him, and their life was in shambles, and then the missionaries came knocking on their door. These are two of the most incredible people I have ever met, and this week they took my two companions and I to lunch and I was reminded once again how anazing they are. People like the Bakers are the reason I am serving a mission!
As for transfer news, this one is super exciting! I am going to go back to Brookdale ward, where I was emergency transferred from, with my amazing trainee, Sister Rust! It will be a great trasnfer, crazy that it will also be my last, but it will be good!
All my love for all of you, Sister Megan Monson
