Have you ever been one place, but knew you were supposed to be someplace else? Have you ever been where you were supposed to be, but missed out on part of the conversation and didn’t know what everyone was talking about? Have you ever been some place like a special event and missed out on the reason you were there? That’s what I feel like right now. Saturday was the best birthday party of all and I think I missed it. It was Jesus’ birthday! What greater gift could any of us have been given than the gift of eternal life?! That’s what God gave us when He sent His son Jesus down to the Earth, to walk among sinners, to love each and every one of us, and then to die on the cross for our sins.
Do you remember the story of Martha and Mary? Martha was busy running around “preparing” everything for Jesus while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus hanging onto every word. Read below…
At the Home of Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[d] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
In this situation I would definitely be Martha. This Christmas we forgot to sing happy birthday to Jesus, we didn’t set a place for him at the table (usually done at breakfast), we didn’t make him a card, and we didn’t tell him what gift we planned on giving him this year. Instead, I was busy trying to finish making last minute gifts for those we care about and love, I was busy preparing our meal for Christmas dinner (well, my part of the meal anyhow), I was busy wrapping presents, I was busy planning get togethers with those I love, I was busy being frustrated with those in my life that had planned on attending our family function and then changed their minds and decided to have one of their own and expected us to fit it into our already hectic schedules, I was busy trying to coordinate schedules and get the kids where they were supposed to be, I was busy…plain and simple. Being busy is no excuse! I should have been excited about Aaron’s rehearsal for Christmas Eve service, but instead I looked at it as one more thing to put on the calendar. I should have been ecstatic about attending Christmas Eve service at church, but instead I was worn out and tired from chasing Bella around the auditorium and lobby. I should have enjoyed a relaxing day with my family on Christmas instead it was filled with juggling kids from one destination to the next. I’m sure this sounds like a lot of whining and complaining when I should be very thankful for all of the loved ones I have in my life that want to spend time with me. I wish I could see it through those eyes. Instead I see these things through eyes that see this as taking time away from my family, just the five of us. In the midst of all of this I feel like I didn’t get to spend any time with my kids or husband. I spent two days sleeping, lounging, and recouping all of the energy I expelled during the process of Christmas. And all of these things that I did is not at all what Christmas is about.
Jesus wasn’t born in the best of conditions yet three wise men brought him gifts. Mary and Joseph didn’t plan on having their child in a manger (or a barn or stable as we might call it) yet God had a plan for them. The greatest gift of all was born with animals, shepherds were told of his arrival, wise men came to see him…the gift of a baby…a baby who would be the greatest king of all. Not a king by worldly standards, but a king of the most high…the right hand of God. Jesus was born to die for our sins. He was purposefully placed on this Earth to be the only man to live without sin. He was born to die a torturous death for you and for me, for our sins, for our eternal lives.
So, this is what I want for next year. Next Christmas I want us all to get along. Next Christmas I want us to put Jesus first. Next Christmas I don’t want to be Martha, but rather be more like Mary. I want to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He has to say, what His plans for my life are, and not be running around like a crazy woman getting frustrated every time I turn around. Next Christmas I want my family to really be first. I want us to have our time together and the rest of our family activities with extended family members fall into place after my time with my family. I want us to help those less fortunate than we are. I want us to remember that it really is better to give than receive. I know we all like to receive gifts, I’m included in that category, but Jesus was a servant of others while He was here and we should be also. I know God has a plan for each of us, for every choice we make, and I want to make sure that I am living out His plans for my life.
In closing, I would like to apologize to my family for the moments I was snippy with them. They are amazing and, at times, put up with a lot from me. The first cardinal rule in teaching is to BE FLEXIBLE! That was something I never had an issue with. I try to consider myself a flexible person because of this skill that was very fine tuned while I was in the classroom. Although, it is much easier to be flexible in a classroom with lessons than it is to be flexible in life…especially with a blended family. Just remember that when we have to decline an invitation from you and your family. It’s not just planning for our family (the five of us), but for all of the immediate members of our blended family. We are one big happy blended family…just the five of us…I mean the 15 of us! J
