My late maternal grandfather, Pa Jacob was such a witty orator. His sense of humor and disposition about life was out of this world. He told us stories about marching tortoises going to war and parched water jars that needed their thirst quenched!
Every visit from his home-base in Delta state to see his children and grandchildren in Lagos was always a task and an adventure. ‘Oh, if He had his way, every one of his daily utensils will be packed into the car taking him out of town. When denied, he would give strict instructions to the house keepers in his village to daily refill the mortar jars and pots with fresh water from the stream! ‘oh-Grandpa!!! 🙂
As a child, I just never understood why such an old and outdated huge mortar jar served as a reservoir for my grandpa. Haven’t all his children (my uncles and aunts) done well enough for him by installing a running tap and functioning water tank for him? Why does this old man still trust in the fresh water from the stream and the excitement that comes from offering his guests water from his humongous-seen-better-days-almost-cracked-jar!
Come to think of it, the mouth of this jar is so small that on several occasions my cousins and I on some visits would mischievously challenge each other on whose tiny hands could fit into it, (of course, when not watched!). Lol.
That jar, situated at the corner of my late grandpa’s house in Ebu, Delta State (land of a homely and endearing tribe located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria) lived long even after he passed on, until it was moved to the back of his house, now collecting dusts, housing insects and all the wonderful creeping and crawling creatures in the nearby bush. Gone, but ever existent in my memory, every time I think of an alabaster jar.
Interestingly, Alabaster jars are made of a beautiful white mineral, sealed in such a way that they could be opened only by breaking them. Once broken, the contents would have to be used immediately since there was no way to reseal the container.
It symbolizes our refuge.
In reflecting on the theme for the upcoming 2016 Total Woman Conference – “Fragrance 216” ( Fragrance two sixteen – adapted from 2Cor. 2 vs. 16). I was prompted to ask myself a pointed question: “Literally, what’s in MY alabaster jar? What’s the purpose of its contents? And what’s it worth?
I began to search my heart to see if there was anything hidden there that I wanted to treasure for myself. Would I be willing to pour it out and share with others so they could learn from its contents? I discovered two things in my “jar” that I was holding back, and also found that I struggled to relinquish these to God, even though I love Him dearly and want to pursue Him with all my heart.
World’s Most Expensive Perfume: The No1 Passant Guardan is covered in 24 carat gold and encrusted in diamonds…
Each of us has an alabaster jar filled with costly fragrance. Sealed up with life’s mysteries (stories of betrayal, abuse, pain, agony, anger, depression, sickness, incompetence, broken heart, bitterness, loneliness and rejection) that inhibit us from revealing that sweetness we carry inside. We can only get to it by breaking the jar and we must be ready to allow a spirit of total abandonment and complete sacrifice.
What about you? What precious perfume is locked inside your heart that could be lavished on others? The little treasures you and I struggle to hold on to may hold back opportunities to bless those around us. Especially those in need of a new scent in life’s dents!
What’s in YOUR alabaster jar? And what do you intend to do with it?
So, allow me to introduce a-much-highly anticipated brand of this newly created divine incense-filled event! – TWC Fragrance 216! Indulge yourself in the benefits of this new fragrance-themed retreat! Don’t let it be buried with you. Break it open. Let the sweet smelling fragrance fill the void in your life and let it radiate and touch the lives of those around you.
The treasures that you and I struggle to hold onto, once released, can become a blessing not only to us but to all those around us. Let’s be aware that the treasure is not the jar itself, but what it holds. Let’s be confident in breaking that jar and allow the treasures of our life be poured out.
Be Indulgent. Be resourceful. Be sacrificial. Be blessed as you let go of what you think your life is and find out what life can really be when you finally decide to unleash your inner fragrance.
Don’t be left out! Sign up to be part of the new generation of women who have the power to re-direct the potency of their aura. Be part of the Fragrance 216 Woman! Join the Movement! …’To be continued!!
For more information about signing up for the upcoming women only yearly retreat/conference – “TWC Fragrance 216”. Please call 215-474-4301 Or visit: http://www.totalwomanmovement.org
SAVE THE DATES:
2 nights, 3 days Retreat @ ACE Conference Center, Lafayette Hills PA.
April (Thursday) 21st, April (Friday) 22nd and (Saturday) 23rd 2016.
Yours in HOPE.
Yinka.
TWC Fragrance 216 Team Member.
***coming soon – Sweet Aroma Out of Brokenness – TWC Fragrance 216
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Do you recall the big smiles on the faces of the beautiful ladies at the registration table as they celebrated your attendance with your personalized welcome package? Did you feel the aura of peace and yearning on the faces of women, miracle-expectant, longing-to-be-released into what the retreat has in store for them’ Holding on to the promises of the weekend.
Ahh! The messages: the new hash tag to discover for bothersome wishers in our lives! The breakout sessions that were so deep yet so true, every woman felt a connection to the speakers! The heartfelt concerns for relational challenges. And best of all…’the anointing that loosen all the knots we carried into Lafayette Hills…
To all the Planning Committee Members!! Take a bow…To my Team Moderators! ‘You are the best. Absolutely awesome!
Moving Forward With Yinka 