We live in a fast-paced world, and sometimes I feel like I am rushing through my day at a speed of 100 million miles an hour. So many of us work outside the home these days and then have cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping, yard work, house repairs and many other responsibilities waiting when we get home. This time of year, on top of the challenge of keeping up between our job and our family, we are extra busy preparing for the holidays by shopping for gifts, decorating, baking and planning the perfect family get-togethers.
Busyness in my life tends to creep in slowly and quietly, one thing at a time until all of a sudden, I become overwhelmed and overloaded. If I’m not careful, my priorities get mixed up and I find myself so busy doing what I think my family needs me to do that I miss out on the things that mean the most. Often, I don’t even realize what is happening until I find myself irritable and I become resentful of those who have time to relax while I am hard at work.
A long time ago, a woman named Martha opened her home to Jesus and his disciples as they were passing by. Her sister, Mary, was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him speak while Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
Needless to say, Martha was pretty frustrated. She finally went to Jesus and asked, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Jesus’ reply may have seemed a bit shocking to her, “Martha, Martha, 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” (Luke 10:38-42).
Don’t get so busy with your holiday preparations that you don’t have time to enjoy the people who are important. Most of all, don’t get so caught up in what you think needs done that you don’t have time to spend listening at the feet of Jesus. If you sit quietly, he will whisper to your heart and remind you of what is truly important. Praying for a season focused on Jesus and the joy, peace and contentment that comes through him.