"A" is for Anointed.....

Or. At least it is now. But it hasn't always been. At least not for me anyway.

You see, my name is Netta..and I am an adulteress. That "A" on my chest, my very own scarlet letter, stands for adultery.

Go ahead. Get your dropped jaw off the pavement. Gather your scattered thoughts. Make your phone calls. Send your texts. Settle into your judgment. Go on, Pharisee.

Yes. I'm THAT chick.

I am a woman in the city, which was a sinner. And though I had no alabaster box of ointment, I have stood at his feet  weeping, prepared to wash his feet with tears, and wipe them with the hairs of my head. More than willing to kiss his feet, and anoint them with the ointment. 
(Luke 7:37-38)

But instead I just laid out the broken pieces of my heart. I surrendered them (eventually) to Jesus because I didn't know what else to do with them.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden [Jesus] saw all this, he spake within himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."
(Luke 7:39)

They said under their breath and behind my back..if Jesus knew what they knew..knew just what I had done..He wouldn't let me touch Him at all.  Afterall, I'd broken the seventh commandment..Neither shalt thou commit adultery (Deuteronomy 5:18).

(Wait..Isn't that the unforgivable sin? Are you sure?)

Now. I don't know what Jesus has said to the people talking on my situation. I can't be sure that they know themselves. Because first they would have to admit that they were guilty in their judgment of me. And second they would have to be willing to receive correction from Jesus.

(And it has been my personal experience that people who talk about other people rarely feel inclined to admit anything about themselves that needs to be corrected.)

But I can tell you what Jesus' response to Simon, the Pharisee, was when faced with a similiar situation long before my time.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.    And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.

Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (Luke 7:40-43)

People are so busy passing judgment on me for what I have done..they miss the fact that Jesus only cares about what I am doing. And they never even consider that Jesus is concerned with what they are..or more to the point are not..doing while they are pointing out my flaws.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?

I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.   

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.   

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  
(Luke 7:44-46)

People are currently making lists of my sins. People are throwing my sins in my face. And trying to beat me over the head with them. People are shining a great big spotlight on mine hoping to diminish their own.

And I am okay with that. I am not hiding who I am or what I have done. I was trying to protect someone I love. But it cost me too much. And pulled me from Jesus.

I am not making light of my sin. I struggle with the tenth commandment every single day. That sucker has me stretched out before Jesus still weeping at His feet..still casting stubborn shards of my broken heart from my alabaster box just waiting for Jesus to catch them.

Yes! My sins were huge by the world's standards. Especially other women. And I will be the first to admit that there was no short supply of them then..and there isn't now.

But Jesus has wiped my slate clean. I gave Him my broken pieces and He healed me. And now I give Him..I love Him and serve Him with..my whole heart.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 
(Luke 7:47)

I am forgiven. I am redeemed. I am anointed.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 
(Luke 7:48)

And when people begin to talk. Or point. Or bring up who and what I used to be..I just remember that Jesus bought and paid for my freedom. So I am free to walk in my anointing.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?  And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:49-50)

My "A" no longer stands for Adulteress.  My big "A" is for Anointed. And my little "a" is for awesome.

And I rock them both!