A Busy Christmas

 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 

Martha's priorities sound so much like all of us at Christmas. We concern ourselves so much with all the details of the holiday that we forget to spend time with our Savior. It seems that all the other things become the priority of the season. 

Jesus tells Martha that there is only one thing necessary in life. According to the passage, it seems that Mary has figured out what that is. Mary stopped everything to listen to God. Let's not tell ourselves that if Jesus were with us in flesh and blood then we too would stop everything. God wants a relationship with us and has provided His Word and the Holy Spirit within us. 

We can still listen to Christ just as easily as Mary did unless we are too busy just as Martha was to hear Him. 

This picture was taken at Sunset on the lake in Door County Wisconsin in 2009.

A Different Path

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. Exodus 13:17a

As children we begin to dream or plan of what we want to be when we grow up. When I was young I believed that I would be a missionary in some far away country leading people to Christ and a better life. I never saw myself married or having children. Instead I have been married, divorced, re-married with 4 children and 11 grandkids. I have served in ministry since the age of 21 here in South Florida and to some people this is a far away country. God had a different plan for my life and it is not at all the plan I was making in my head. 

When I read the passages of scripture in Exodus it reminds me that God controls our destiny as He did the destiny of the Israeli nation. Life brings us things that we do not always understand what the purpose is in our lives and the lives of those around us. This is where our faith comes in and we must trust God in what He is doing. 

Everything God does in our lives is about His Kingdom so I have learned not to take it personally when my life takes a different path. There are many things I did not plan such as dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction with those around me. This is an area of difficulty for me to watch those close to me who are ruining their lives with their addictions. I used to believe I had all the spiritual answers to assist them to control or change their behavior only to be disappointed. I now realize I can't change anyone not even myself  but I can continue to pray for them and help when they ask.

 

An unplanned route will often strengthen your faith!

 

A Different Lens

 Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Exodus 23:2

The reason we have conflict with one another is because we see things so very differently. We pick up our views of life from our daily surroundings. A lot of people make their moral choices more from feelings than from what is right. My biggest fear as a mother were the friends my children would surround themselves with each day. The world views and goals of others will dictate our children's path and every parent has that to deal with in their own children.

Our children are surrounded with people who have their own brokenness, bitterness, abuse, etc. and the lens view continues to change in a greater way. One person can be around negative behaviors, soak it up like a sponge and behave contrary to what they have been taught. Another person could be around the same negative behavior and will use it as a tool or example of what they do not want for their own behavior and life. It's a choice, so choose wisely!

 This picture was taken of the side of a building where they 

painted people and animals that looked very real in Stuart Florida, 2010.