Sweeter Than Honey: She Has Done What She Could

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? And what if we committed to doing that all year long, only to find that by the end of the year, we had read the entirety of God's Word—His Love Letter to us? 

​How many times have you, on January 1, resolved to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I’ve made that commitment more times than I can count, and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit. But a few years ago, I tried something different—I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary. Did you know that Genesis wasn’t the first book of the Bible written? While these plans can vary, since it's impossible to pinpoint exact dates for some books, the plan I used began with the book of Job. Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, a book patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

On Tuesdays, through the end of the year, I’d love for you to join me as we travel through parts of Sweeter Than Honey​ together! I also encourage you to join the private Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group, where you can share your thoughts and connect with like-minded, Christian friends.

Mark 13-16: She Has Done What She Could

In Mark 14, we find the account of Jesus’ being anointed at Bethany by a woman with an alabaster flask of ointment. Bethany was a small village, just outside Jerusalem, on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives.
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The Bible records that the ointment was an ointment of pure nard and very costly. Nard is also called Spikenard. It’s an aromatic, amber-colored, essential oil from a flowering plant in the honeysuckle family which grows in Nepal, China, and India. These places are 3000 – 4000 thousand miles from Jerusalem, no doubt contributing to the costliness of the ointment.

The anointing of Jesus took place six days before the Passover, and while this account does not specifically say, we know that Bethany was where the sisters and brother, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. We also know that Jesus had a very special relationship with them. John 11:5 tells us that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” We also know that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

The account of the woman’s anointing Jesus is also found in Matthew 26 and John 12, where Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus are specifically named, while the event recorded in Luke only mentions an unknown, sinful woman.

“And while He was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over His head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, ‘Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14:3-9)

I have been thinking lately about the word “legacy.” What will our legacy be when we are gone? What legacy are we intentionally planning to leave for the generations that come after us—our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on? 

Jesus says of Mary “She has done what she could” (14:8). Will that be said of us someday? Are we doing what we can to leave a legacy that tells those who come after us that we loved Jesus?

​What legacy are you intentionally leaving behind that will show future generations your love for Jesus?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, it brings inspiration and insight that guides my day. Let's treat His Word as the Love Letter it truly is, finding peace in chaos and strength in our weaknesses.

​Even on our busiest days, we can carve out a few minutes to focus on what truly matters. Whether it's early in the morning when the house is quiet or late at night after everyone else is asleep, we can make time for God’s Word.

Let's be intentional, letting His truths inspire us to live out our faith daily, in a way that draws others to the peace and joy we've found in Him.

Remember, God sees you, knows you by name, and cares about every detail of your life. Let's dive into His Love Letter, together!

​My top tip for successful Bible study? Be intentional with a plan. Without one, it's unlikely to happen. That's why I created Sweeter Than Honey—to give busy women like us a manageable, attainable plan to read through the Bible in a year.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey inspired by Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” This book is designed to help you find peace amid chaos and strength in your weakest moments, all while encouraging you in your daily walk with God. Each day’s reading itinerary and devotion will guide you through God’s Word, in chronological order of book authorship, and by year's end you will have read through the entire Bible!

“You’ll find encouragement on every page of this book—encouragement to seek God above all else. The strong, spiritual emphasis will challenge you to turn to God for daily direction and experience His presence in a whole new and intentional way. Sweeter Than Honey will become more to you than just another daily devotional, it will become a keepsake as you record prayers and participate in thought-provoking, practical exercises that touch every aspect of your life and draw you closer to our Creator.” —from the Prologue

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What People Are Saying About Sweeter Than Honey

"Sweeter Than Honey takes you through the books of the Bible chronologically [in order of book authorship] to read the whole Bible in one year! What a feat! But it is soooo worth it. And I love this plan because it doesn’t just leave you reading huge chunks of chapters. It has so many great tools to go along with what you read: Introductions to each book of the Bible, Daily Scripture passages and a devotional, Fill in the blanks on some pages to get you thinking deeper, A free Facebook community to connect with other ladies reading too!" —Meagan Robertson, Robertson Reads

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​Download the Sweeter Than Honey Media Package

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