The Alabaster Intent: Breaking the Box of the Past
The story of the woman with the alabaster box is probably one of the most powerful redemption stories there is. We aren't exactly sure what her past looked like, but it was clear that she came from nothing. She had only one expensive and valuable item in her life: the ointment she carried to anoint Jesus. Predictably, she faced judgment and criticism from the disciples, including Judas, who saw her sacrifice as a "waste." I’m sure they saw her as "damaged goods," as many people would see her as that even today.
I don’t believe it was her action that was the most moving part of the story; it was the intention behind the action. It’s always about the heart. Actions do speak louder than words, but intentions speak even louder. Often, we can’t know people’s hearts; we only see their actions, and we judge each other based on that. While people like Judas thought this woman’s choice was a waste, her heart was in a place of needing to start over. She was willing to give up her most prized possession to receive forgiveness. She was humble, letting go of pride and ego—which is a monumental thing to do.
I know I had to go through an ego death myself. I had to realize that I can’t hold onto the past or treat myself as "damaged goods," let alone treat others that way. While people in my past may have wounded me, I don’t know their hearts and intentions. Therefore, I don’t cast them out as a lost cause. There are countless redemption stories like this in the Bible where people were in dark places and yet they had their lives turned around. You might think your story is over, but that is a lie.
In 2026, I am learning that you have to tell a new story. You have to stop telling yourself the old trauma story of what happened to you. I went through a season of asking "Why?" and I finally stopped. I’ve accepted that it doesn’t matter why people hurt me, or if they are even sorry. I have to humble myself, forgive, and move forward. It’s about being healthy—letting myself be redeemed and restored. I am not a victim; I am an overcomer.
I meditate every morning and night on healing—not just for myself, but for people close to me that I care about. I don’t believe we are damaged goods. I think people give up on each other too quickly because they lack faith. I know it’s hard to have hope when everything has gone wrong in life, but I’m choosing to be "delusional" in my faith. Be open. Have hope. You have to go through the ego death to realize you’ve been selling yourself short.
Creating healthy boundaries isn't about punishing people; it's about limiting how you allow them to treat you. Remember, it’s about the heart. Not everyone who hurt you did it purposely to ruin your life. Use your discernment—not to judge them, but to gain perspective. Often, we are too close to a situation to understand it. Sometimes you need to back up to see the view more clearly.
It’s time to turn the negatives into positives. You can have the same story as the woman with the alabaster box. You can come with the intention of starting over, regardless of who judges your past mistakes. Live your life one day at a time. You’ll still make mistakes, but keep the mindset of better intentions. Those intentions speak far louder than any mistake ever could. 💫
3-30-26 at 9:24 a.m. - 32 33 49 -
