Devotional 7-19-13

In Luke 10:38-42, Martha has opened her home to Jesus. She is scurrying around making preparations for the visit. Her sister Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to what He has to say. Exasperated Martha asks Jesus to intervene and tell Mary to help her. Jesus answers, ”Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it won’t be taken away from her.” (NIV)

Pressures, demands on our time, tasks to be finished, appointments to be kept; everyone wants a piece of our time. Yet, Jesus is telling Martha that Mary has made the better choice. Relationships are important--with God, our families, our friends, and even strangers that we meet. Time is a precious commodity, but it doesn’t always take a lot of time to show someone you care and that they are important to you. My daughter and my grandson (almost 21 and no longer living at home) both work at Amazon. Their paths usually cross as he is coming to work and she is on her lunch break. He never fails to give her a hug and a kiss and tell her he loves her. When his friends give him a hard time, he said, “Hey, it only takes a minute, and it makes her day. When was the last time you hugged your Mom?” A minute out of his day and she feels loved and appreciated. A minute out of your day to smile at a stranger or say hello, and maybe offer a helping hand. A little act of kindness that can brighten someones day.

Of course the more time and effort you put into a relationship the closer you feel to that person. My mother-in-law recently passed away. We all would have liked one more hug--one more conversation with her. But, it really made me appreciate the long chats we used to have, the stories of her life she told me and that she allowed me to know her not only as a mother-in-law, but also as a person.

The more you open yourself up and honestly share your life, your dreams, your failures and your joys the closer you feel. It is the same with God with one big difference. There is no reason to fear His reaction or His rejection. He already knows and loves you and accepts you. But, in the telling you become closer to God. In the quiet listening after you finish you often come to new insights, a new peace and a closer relationship with God.

It is all too easy to get distracted by life, work, chores and worries. But relationships are not to be taken for granted. They need to be nurtured. Take care of your relationship with God, your family, and your friends. Don’t take them for granted. Schedule the time if you have to, but make them the priority that they deserve to be.

Margaret Williams