It's Stella Day!

Luk 7:37 There was a woman who was a notorious sinner in that city. When she learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's home, she took an alabaster jar of perfume
Luk 7:38 and knelt at his feet behind him. She was crying and began to wash his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. Then she kissed his feet over and over again, anointing them constantly with the perfume.
Luk 7:39 Now the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and told himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who is touching him and what kind of woman she is. She's a sinner!"
Luk 7:40 Jesus told him, "Simon, I have something to ask you.""Teacher," he replied, "ask it."
Luk 7:41 "Two men were in debt to a moneylender. One owed him 500 denarii, and the other 50.
Luk 7:42 When they couldn't pay it back, he generously canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?"
Luk 7:43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the larger debt canceled." Jesus told him, "You have answered correctly."
Luk 7:44 Then, turning to the woman, he told Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You didn't give me any water for my feet, but this woman has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
Luk 7:45 You didn't give me a kiss, but this woman, from the moment I came in, has not stopped kissing my feet.
Luk 7:46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with perfume.
Luk 7:47 So I'm telling you that her sins, as many as they are, have been forgiven, and that's why she has shown such great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little."


It's been three years today that my friend and mentor Stella made her transition. I woke today thinking about her. I still miss her. I miss every wrinkle in her face, I miss those arthritis gnarled hands, her smile, her laughter, but most of all I miss her love. Stella taught me how to believe in myself. She taught me about unconditional love. I loved her and she loved me.

When I met Stella I was an extremely wounded women. I had been treated like the women that washed Jesus feet with her tears for years in the church. Stella let me know I was like the woman that washed his feet with her tears. She called me a woman of grace. She admired my tenacity and determination. I came to Jesus in the face of insult, being told there no place for my kind. Like the lyrics to CeCe Winans song no one knew the cost of the oil in my Alabaster box.

Stella had her own Alabaster box that she paid a high price for. She was molested by her older brother and abused by her mother. At fifteen years of age she left home. She took care of herself by using the only resource she had. She soon married and was abused by her husband. Jesus found her wounded and abused. He welcomed her with open arms.

Seventy years later we met. It's something about experiencing and overcoming, abuse, unworthiness, shame and hopelessness that gives you special insight. You can spot another wounded soul in a crowded room. There is an instant bond that transcend age, race and gender. We are kindred spirits that had to walk pass the angry stares of the righteous. Our eyes had met the soft brown eyes of Jesus. We finally knew that we were loved and have always been loved. We love the master with all of our hearts and we want to give him all that we hold dear.

I used to have what I call Stella Day. I would buy a big crazy helium balloon and walk through the store wishing random strangers happy Stella Day. I was always surprised at the happiness on their faces as I called out the greeting. Stella loved the balloons and the fact that I would celebrate her regularly.

I decided to buy a big crazy balloon today to celebrate Stella day. I want to pray and set it free. Part of me wishes it could travel to Stella in heaven and the other more mentally stable me, wants it to float until it reaches some wounded, hurting, hopeless soul. Maybe someone asked Jesus to give them a sign that they are loved and forgiven and the balloon would glide safely into their lonely arms. Just maybe Stella Day is still filled with the grace that Stella was filled with.

Fearless