During the quarantine that is 2020, I’ve been trying to figure out what God is calling me to do. I feel like when God puts a pause on your life it’s usually time to listen for something. Honestly He has put a pause on many of our lives and what we’re used to doing day to day. However, the pause doesn’t mean that our lives have become any easier. In many ways our lives are more difficult than they ever were. Parents who would never have chosen homeschooling are homeschooling, one or maybe both parents jobs have been effected, people are working from home with little ones running around.
The day to day stress of life has just changed forms. I do understand there are quite a few of you reading who are home without children. You are grandparents or teens or young adults but that doesn’t mean you are without stress. If you are a grandparent you’re probably stressed about your children staying healthy and not being able to see your family. If you are young adults your college/work life has been upended and if you are a teen you’re probably just bored…. like really bored. ?
So at this time I’ve really been trying to think about my day and what I am doing with my time. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about sitting at the feet of Jesus. I’ll be honest I don’t sit much during my day. By the time I get up, feed the kids, do school work, fit in a 20min workout while Savannah naps… I am then picking up after breakfast, getting ready for lunch picking up after lunch, finishing school, playing with kids, picking up toys, doing laundry, making dinner bathtime and bedtime… I don’t sit very much. But it isn’t sitting on a couch that I have been craving. Don’t get me wrong I would love a nap… like a really long nap- like a 3-day nap! If that is a thing sign me up for it! ????
But, that is not the sitting or resting that has been on my heart. I have been thinking about Mary and Martha and how Martha was running around getting the house ready while Jesus was there. Maybe she was cooking and preparing a meal, cleaning the kitchen, setting the table and her sister Mary was sitting in the living room listening to Jesus teach.
This literally happens to me at holidays. There are family members who are running around cooking making sure the turkey is ready and the mashed potatoes are a perfect consistency and then you look over and there are people sitting in the living room having conversations about politics while sipping coffee….. ?
I’ll let you guess which one I am….??????
Yes, I’m usually Martha and yes, I’m annoyed with Mary. I would have been that person to say can you please just tell her to help??? Let’s see what that verse actually says that I’m referring to: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:38?-42
I’m particularly interested in what Jesus says to Martha He says, Martha you are worried and upset about many things. I’m going to insert my name…Kara, you are worried and upset about many things. Take a moment to put your name there too….
I am worried about family and friends and their health, I’m worried about economic stability, I’m upset that I can’t find toilet paper in the grocery store, I’m upset that I can’t go anywhere, I’m upset that I can’t visit with friends….but then Jesus says few things are needed indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.
What is the one thing that is needed? What is the one thing that is going to get you through all of the chaos? What is the one thing that is going to take away the worry? It is Him. It is Jesus. Jesus could have said one thing is needed, indeed it is ONLY ME. And I can’t be taken away from you.
So with our days being absolutely crazy and somewhat unpredictable, with babies to feed and floors to clean, laundry to get done and school work to do, finances to manage and jobs to work, let’s remember the one thing that is needed, and that is the presence of God and the salvation of Jesus. Let’s put our faith and hope in him and sit at his feet and soak up his promises. Let’s be like Mary and hold on to a savior who cannot be taken away from us.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Kara
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