An Unhurried Heart

Luke 10:38-42 "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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

All right, I admit it, this hasn't described me this morning. We woke up to several inches of snow on the ground and ice on top of the snow. It's a beautiful winter wonderland. Fortunately as we got ready to leave for the day it wasn't too difficult to clear off our van because the temperatures were slightly above freezing.

Our first stop was Wal-Mart so my sons could finish their Christmas shopping. My eldest son went off on his own while I helped my younger son. We quickly go through his list and I even had time to do some of my grocery shopping for our Christmas meal as well. We finished within an hour and then headed for my oldest son's physical therapy appointment. While he got worked on, my younger son started on his school work.

The next stop on our journey was the post office for stamps to send the Christmas cards and to drop off a prescription refill at the drug store while on the way to my oldest son's orthodontist appointment. My youngest son continued to work on his school work while we waited. Then back home to meet my youngest son's mentor for a luncheon appointment for him. We did all of this within three hours.

It's been one of those rushed mornings and the afternoon and evening won't be much better. There are more errands to run this afternoon as well as swim practice and two different choir rehearsals. When I'm in these types of situations I am not unhurried. I typically am stressed, on edge and quick to snap at my kids. Not a pretty picture.

I couldn't help but think of the stark contrast between how I felt today and Mary's reaction in Luke. She sat at Jesus' feet and listened to what He was saying. Her sister was stressed out, but Mary chose to sit calmly at Jesus' feet.

I failed to do this for the beginning part of my day, but I pray that having an unhurried heart will be more characteristic of me in the days ahead. I pray that I can make a conscious choice to sit at Jesus' feet more often. May I follow the example of Mary as well as the shepherds when they chose to go visit the newborn King.

ACTIVITY

Choose to rest at Jesus' feet even in the midst of a hurried schedule.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, help me to choose an unhurried heart. Help me to rest in you. Amen.