Being Present in Your Own LifeНамуна

ARE YOU A MARY OR A MARTHA?

Five years after my beloved husband, Dan's death, and the deaths of my siblings, I realized that because of the expiration of their life, I needed to take a deeper look at my own. It made me realize that when they were living, I honestly was not present in my own life.

What does that mean? I was wrapped up in the busyness and business of living instead of being present in the beauty of living the life God intended me to live. I have lived most of my life not present. Isn't that sad? Let's look at Biblical truth through the lives of Martha and Mary.

Jesus had come to a village where Martha had invited Him to be a guest. As Martha was busy scurrying about her home preparing the meal, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and chat with Him.

I have always prided myself in a clean home, decorating and making beautiful meals with great presentation. I'm not saying that is wrong because it isn't. However, it becomes wrong when that is our priority and focus. I also spent way too many hours back in my office doing what I thought was right, giving above and beyond to a part-time job that I chose to do full-time. Precious, valuable time that I can never retrieve.

After I retired, it didn't take but a couple of months for 22 years of my work to be changed, rid of, and a new way introduced. Why do I share this?

I desire that others take the Martha and Mary example to heart.

In each devotion, I want you to ask yourself if your life is out of balance. We must work to earn a living, and yes, volunteering is good, but people don't talk about their job and activities on deathbeds. May all we do, begin with sitting at God's feet and then be done with balance!