ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

"The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out" Luke 8:1b,2

To be rid of 7 demons! Can you imagine how grateful this Mary must have been?

7 demons? I couldn't possibly...but then I quickly realized a long list of demons, without leaving the letter "d". How about DOUBT? DEBT? DECEIT? DISPOSITION (crabby)? DETERMINATION, of self? DEFAMATION of character (gossip)? and then there's DESIRE, for all those DRESSES and DOUGHNUTS and more? Real life demons, trying to get in my face.

The rest of the story is found in John 20. Consumed by grief, Mary arrives first at the tomb, to find it empty. Her Lord, who was dead, now is gone. Puzzled by His disappearance, tears cloud her vision. She has no thought of seeing Jesus there, in the garden. But then, He calls her by name. Softly. Tenderly. Mary! She now has eternal life to add to her thank you list.

I too have so much to be grateful for. It is Jesus, who can take care of the demons that approach my space. Jesus, who has given me eternal life. Jesus, who calls me by my first name...NANCY!
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