Martha and Mary

Life is a funny thing.

I wonder if God sometimes sees us scurrying around on the earth like a bunch of ants when their hill has been kicked over. We run around trying to accomplish so much with our lives - to get everything done, to make ourselves or others happy. We wind up anxious, stressed out and tired. And it seems the "to-do" list is never finished - there are never enough hours in the week and when there is time, sometimes we are just too tired to do it.

God has been speaking to me, I think because my mind keeps getting drawn back to the words of Jesus: "...you are worried...about many things, but only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:41b-42a) It was the words he spoke to Martha when she was busily trying to get everything done and was frustrated by Mary's lack of help (she was sitting by Jesus, listening to him).

I feel Martha's pain. I feel like there's a million things that need to be done and that need to be done well - with care, a good effort and effective results. These things are on my mind like a never ending "to-do" list which threatens to overwhelm me at times.

source:  http://wallpapersinfos.blogspot.ca/2012/06/milky-way-galaxy-wallpaper.html 

I think I need reminding from time to time that God is in control, not me. That day Jesus pointed out that Mary was doing the right thing - the more important thing. It's a reminder that I need to let go of things that are not really a priority, focus on the things that God has called me to do, and simply trust God to take care of the rest of it.

In my one class, the teacher's computer desktop background was showing on the screen and as he was teaching he noticed that several of us were drawn/distracted by it. He looked over to see what was grabbing our attention and said something like: "Oh that? It's just the cosmos, it will unfold as it should."

Well put. Yes God is in control and I am not. Thank goodness for that.

Lord help me to be more like Mary and less like Martha - help me to do the things that matter and leave the rest in your hands. Amen.

not in church either...

I should've started the post with this last week - I had skipped out on chapel and was feeling guilty myself about not being there. It was a simple sound issue - the sound was harsh and so I left.

All things being equal the chapel was not designed for modern instruments, but this week it was MUCH better. :) Perhaps it was due to them tweaking the sound a little, maybe it was the songs they chose, maybe it was the different spot I chose to sit.

Sooooo....I only asked because I have been there. At the cottage we didn't always go to church, but my motivations have also changed. I used to go to church because I thought I HAD to be there. Now I go because I want to praise and worship God with his family!

Any thoughts or comments?

not in church

I must begin with my apologies to the person who took this shot - I forgot to find the source. If you find it (or own it and want it removed) please let me know.


So how do you feel about skipping church - or just not going at all? This isn't a guilt trip - this is a real question and it's open to anyone whether you grew up in church, go most Sundays, or have never been. But since I brought up the concept of guilt - does it make you feel guilty?

I am going to ask one other question too: why don't you go? Is it the music, the people, or something you just can't quite put your finger on. I must admit that there sometimes seems a world of difference between church life and the rest of our life. So tell me - what do you think?

Oh, and one more question if you don't mind. Do you think Christianity may have anything to add to your life if church was different - would you be more interested? (ok so I cheated and made that 2 questions...) Looking forward to hearing from you!

Hide and Seek

(This is lifted from an old blog of mine - still all true and a great song. Unfortunately the video I used is not available, so I used the one below.)

Imagine playing hide and seek and no one came to find you. Life can feel that way at times – and after a while maybe we forget that we are hiding, maybe we even forget the reason that we went to hide in the first place.

Or maybe the reason that we are hiding is still very real to us – fear.  Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss.  But whatever those fears that keep you hiding, God is waiting patiently for you to come out.  He has not forgotten you and he cares that you are hiding.

When kids play hide and seek they curl up with their knees to their chest and huddle with arms over their knees and heads down – if they can’t see, then maybe others won’t see them.  If that’s you, look up and you will see the light of God’s love at your feet, lighting the way to Him and leading you out.  You don’t have to hide.



Buy the album - Joy Williams