Martha or Mary?

“Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and I won’t take it away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42. (NLV). Manic Monday is here again. Our weeks are consumed with necessary tasks. Tasks like taking the kids to school, going to work, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, doing laundry, helping with homework, running errands, driving the kids to activities, and attending meetings. We all love our families. Some of us love our work (most of the time) and some of us even love some of the mundane tasks necessary for everyday life. Even so, what are the simple pleasures for you in life? What makes you happy? What do you do to unwind? What helps you relax? It varies for me. Sometimes after a long mentally exhausting day at the office, I like to sit in front of the TV watching a mindless show that requires no thinking. Other times exercise, a warm bath, watching my favorite team play, a game with family, or dinner with my family or friends helps me unwind and relax. Also, chocolate always makes me happy. As humans we do lots of things for pleasure and relaxation like beach or ski vacations, dancing, participating in sports, or attending sporting events. We need rest and relaxation. We need to recharge our batteries and do something purely for fun or we will burnout and not be any good to ourselves or anyone else. All of these things are nice and provide temporary pleasure and relaxation. Do not get me wrong. I am not saying there is anything wrong with watching TV, eating sweets, exercising, playing sports or attending sporting events. The fleeting pleasures of this earth provide temporary pleasure for all of us at times. However, there are other times that my soul stirs so loudly and I long to sit at Jesus’ feet; because, that is the only place my soul will find contentment. The things of this earth cannot quash the discontent inside me. It is in Jesus that my soul finds lasting pleasure, solace, rest, peace and fulfillment. Where do you sit at Jesus' feet? For me, it is my bedroom or our office where I shut myself away from my family to spend some alone time with Jesus. Martha was so consumed with the necessary everyday tasks that she failed to spend time with Jesus enjoying his company and listening to him teach. Mary sat at His feet drinking in every word. Oh how I long to be Mary, but know that I am Martha the majority of the time. Instead of longing for the fleeting pleasures of watching a mindless TV sitcom or consuming a piece of chocolate, I pray that I will find lasting pleasure sitting at the feet of Jesus. I pray Jesus will be my place of rest and relaxation. We all crave deeper fulfillment that only God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit can provide. May we all find pleasure in sitting at the Triune God's feet. Prayer: Jesus, please help me to seek you daily, to sit at your feet and hear what you want to teach and share with me. For you are the only source of pleasure, fulfillment, peace, and rest. Rachel Olsen is having a devotion carnival today. Please check out her blog at Rachel Olsen to read more devotions on simple pleasures.

I am thankful for Jesus' ever abiding peace. I pray His peace will continue to fill my soul and being as I journey this life.

Waiting

"Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord." Lamentations 3: 21-26(NLV).

Waiting is not fun. I have been in waiting for quite some time now in my spiritual life. I feel confident what God has planned for me, but right now I hear "Wait." So, I am waiting, which goes against my extremely impatient nature. Not to mention my need to plan and control. That goes with being Type A which is great for my profession, an attorney; however, can be excruciating in other facets of my life.

I pray for faith, patience, endurance, and hope. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLV).

Praise Your Mighty Name

"Sing to the Lord; bless his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!" Psalm 96:2-4(a)(NLV). “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5(NLV).

God is faithful, just, our redeemer, protector, savior, friend, giver of gifts, creator and so much more. He alone is worthy of our praise and He alone holds the world in His hands. I like that image of the "world in His hands;" because I am in the world so I am in His hands. I want to sit in His strong hands and all consuming love forever.

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. O Lord Almighty, my King and my God! How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains! They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you." Psalm 84:1-2; 4-7; 10-12 (NLV).

God's Protection

I am continually reminded of God's protection. On July 4, my husband and two kids got together with my sister and her two kids to shoot fireworks. Others in the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods were also shooting fireworks and there was quite a bit of noise. We stopped to clean up a bit before continuing the festivities. My six year old was on the sidewalk in front of our home picking up trash when she screamed, "Snake!" and ran back to our driveway. The baby copperhead was within inches of her feet. It was dark, so I am so thankful that she saw the poisonous snake and got away before it bit her.

I do not recall any conversation with her about what to do if you encounter a snake, but I am sure running is not the advice I would give. I have always heard you cannot outrun a snake and they follow vibrations. However, she did just the right thing under those circumstances and by the grace of God the snake did not bite her or chase after her. I have no doubt that God protected her. He provided for her safety. He was there. God must have whispered in her ear to run and told the snake to be still.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" Psalms 91.

I know sometimes we will get hurt or injured and am not claiming that suffering will not occur to those who love the Lord with all their heart. He tells us in His word we will face troubles in this life. However, God is always there. And though we may not know why, sometimes He does intervene on our behalf. There may be plenty of scientific reasons or logical reasons as to why my little girl was not bitten by the snake, but I believe God's hand protected her. God is amazing and His provision constantly amazes me. He protects us even when we do not even realize we need protecting.

God Never Leaves Us

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8(NLV). "For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever." Psalm 117:2(NLV).

Psalms 105:1-7

"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness, let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles. Exult in his holy name; O worshipers of the Lord, rejoice! Search for the Lord and for his strength, and keep on searching. Think of the wonderful works he has done, the miracles and the judgments he handed down, O children of Abraham, God's servant, O descendants of Jacob, God's chosen one. He is the Lord our God. His rule is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant." Psalms 105:1-7.