Herod's daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, 

"Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."

Then he swore to her, "Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom."

....

[26] Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn't want to refuse her. 

So he ordered a guard to bring John's head...

Mark 6:22-23, 26-27 CEB

This is the part of the story where Herod makes an offer to his daughter who he probably expected to ask for a new horse or a holiday in Rome, but took the opportunity to work with her Mum to get something Mum wanted. 

Herod, who had the power over life and death of others, could not seem to be able to overcome 2 things:

His rash promise.

And his potential embarrassment in front of his guests. 

There's been times when I've done the same thing (on a different scale with different consequences), said something rash and/or foolish and not backed down.

And I've overvalued embarrassment. 

Overvalued what others think of me.

Overvalued looking good, that I only make good decisions, that admitting I've got it wrong is weakness.

I've aslo seen a bit of Herodias' mum in me too, willing to use others to get what I want. 

Perhaps it's so easy to see the flaws, the sin, the missing the mark in others cos it's in me too.

The Good News is Grace.

Grace that forgives and leads us towards Life...

#gospelofMark 

#itsaheartthing 

#grace