Yesterday, late afternoon, my oldest daughter kept coming back to ask me to play. I kept telling her, “Not now, I’m busy.” It was the dinner that needed cooking, or the lounge that needed tidying, or the dishes that needed washing, or the messages that needed replying to . . . the list is endless. Then the story of Martha and Mary came to me {see Luke 10:38-42}.
Martha stayed in the kitchen to “do all the work,” while Mary sat down with Jesus to “be lazy,” as I too often see it, and listen.
Jesus effectively told us all to be more like the present Mary and less like the striving Martha.
Yesterday, I was more Martha than Mary.
Growing up, my mum was more present than busy, “fussing far too much and getting herself worked up over nothing” and that despite having six kids and ministering to countless others outside the home as a pastor’s wife and later, teacher. I won’t deny that she definitely still had striving Martha moments, but the reason I now miss my Mom so much is because she was my Mary: the presence of God’s love in my life.
My mum listened, she encouraged, she shared her struggles as a mother and teacher, she took an active interest in my life, and when we lived together for three to four weeks, here in the Netherlands or in New Zealand, she became part of the family. She’d muck in with the kids, she’d sit, listen and chat, she’d make jokes and she’d laugh and smile.
She’d look for ways to bring joy by being present.
As Jesus put it:
“If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dark cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.” {Luke 11: 33-36, MSG}.
Choosing presence, is choosing to look at the world in wonder, expectantly waiting to find God’s goodness in it, just as my mum so often chose to do.
I miss her presence terribly now, but I’m also incredibly thankful to God for placing other Marys on my path. These women have sat with me, cried with me, swept their schedules aside to be with me, encouraged me, given me the gift of God’s practical love in the form of presence — presence both physically and electronically.
It is this presence of God’s body in my life that has carried me through the terrible lows and rejoiced with me in the beautiful things God is doing. And I’m so very thankful to God for opening my heart to these Marys, for encouraging me to reveal that which I am more naturally inclined to hide in shame and guilt, allowing them to truly minister to my deepest needs.
Do you struggle, like me, to slow into presence, rather than lunge into striving? Do you yearn to slow and sit at the feet of our Heavenly Father, to receive, rather than perform? And in receiving, gift the Presence of His Spirit in you to those around you?
Then, let’s hold each other’s hands and pray for our hearts to be opened in slowing wonder.
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Related: Display this inspirational mini-wrapped canvas print on a counter top, desk, or wall and remember throughout your day that nothing is too big or too small for our God.
Leave a Comment
Lori Nunyabizness says
This is so beautiful and has me in tears on this Friday morning. A beautiful reminder of the importance of being fully present where we are.
God is so good. Thank you for the beautiful blessing. <3
Anna Smit says
Thank you so much for being one of my Marys, Lori. So thankful for the Light and Love you have gifted me in the past, especially since losing Mum, and continue to gift me through our Lord and Saviour today, as I journey on. Blessed to call you both friend and sister-in-Christ.
A says
Thank you, Anna, for this beautiful posting this morning, for this sharing about your Mama and her joy. Its a relief to my torn and wearied heart to be reminded to sit in prayer at the feet of the loving Master Jesus Christ, who holds me close in His presence even when I feel like running away. Needed this so much this morning-a prodding to remember that prayer at His feet helps me pour out and fill up with His love and joy to take into the world. I pray that we all stop and slow enough to be open to Him who loved us unto death.
Anna Smit says
You’re so very welcome. I’m so glad God used it to bless your heart. It sounds like you are walking a hard, hard path right now. Praying for you right now.
Jenny Howell says
“As lighted as your best lighted room…” Thanks Anna! It’s easy to become squinted and dim not letting Him or anyone in. I want to soak up, fill up, and be well lit.
Anna Smit says
Amen, Jenny! So do I. Lovely to have you as my neighbor at incourage today.
Jenny Howell says
I figure it’s not often one gets to share words at incourage… So we better meet our neighbors while we can :)!