“Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things;
But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part,
Which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 41, 42
Picture perfect days are hard to come by during some seasons. The hustle and bustle of our schedules frazzle and fray our edges. And daily responsibilities and worries deplete us. It’s hard to see clearly even after the looming cloud lifts.
Today was different…I was singing on the inside. Light was breaking through the shadows!
It started with my first morning run with my daughter in a while, and was followed by a lonely, country drive in the afternoon that eased my tired nerves. Our family was gathering in the evening, and I was eagerly anticipating a full house. Delicious food and lively conversation always lifted my spirit.
Nothing could compete with the pleasure of watching my big, burly son simply sitting after dinner. His grin spread wide as he held his nephew in his strong arms. Awkward and uncomfortable…tiny and vulnerable…my first grown baby was holding pure sweetness.
I stood in silence and observed; it seemed like just yesterday that I rocked my eldest. Now we were bending low to another. My first grandson had arrived, and we were in awe of this little bundle. The eyes of our growing family were fixated on the sleeping child…and the wonder of his cuteness. It brought me great joy to hug him close, but even more so to see the surrounding, priceless circle!
I didn’t want this moment to pass…and so I watched and waited…
Love leaned into precious innocence.
I remembered another babe born in a messy, lowly, sacred place.
Perfection grew and died for us.
Hands that held Jesus’ small frame were rescued by His!
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
I soaked in His stillness…Martha, distracted and impatient, failed to see with Heaven’s eyes. But Mary eagerly sat at Jesus’ feet, anticipating life changing words. She expected God’s goodness, and drew near to His holiness. Her heart was open and ready!
If only we could learn our lessons early…seek Christ first before all others…in our childhood…at the break of dawn…before we begin to work, minister, and play.
Jesus’ strong arms embrace the distracted, discouraged, and weary…focused, driven, and strong. He stops us in our wandering…striving…failing…winning ways and beckons us to come. He draws all men unto Him!
Just as we are!
We hide…run…drive…work…and serve. We keep busy rushing here and there; too frantic to rest. And we avoid thinking and feeling; the penetrating truth. We are nothing without a Savior…infant child born to rescue a fallen people. We need His calm!
You are gently held…soak in His stillness…and be strengthened!
~Lily Mae
Beautiful, I could see the whole scene as you wrote it….clearly. Reminded me of a line in a song by Matthew West…Ohhhh, the healing has begun……