I came across this as a devotion excerpt in my bible yesterday morning. I've been mulling over it and reading it every so often to let it sink down deep. Hope it encourages & challenges you as it did me.
Have you, like Martha, sometimes found yourself asking, "Lord, don't you care?" Do your personal priorities threaten to take precedence over what is better?...
Our natural inclination when we're under pressure is to compete, to compare, to blame, to criticize, to demand, or to interrupt - ...Martha, no doubt, was wholeheartedly going about her business when she reached her stress limit. But Jesus didn't offer His sympathy. Instead, He offered a gentle rebuke.
Like Martha, our hearts are distracted and weighed down by many worthwhile things-concerns about family and friends, daily work responsibilities, church-related duties financial needs - as well as by our own ongoing thoughts, judgement, and self-talk. Looking to our LORD'S peace and inviting His love to reign in our hearts relieves hurt, eases weariness, and sets our feet back on solid ground. This is not an easy task by any means....but given the alternative, what kind of life...would you truly prefer?...
Yielding our heart and mind to the Holy Spirit's direction transforms our whole outlook. The more we pay attention to our Shepherd's gentle reproof and trustworthy guidance, the less we find ourselves worrying about the things that don't matter...
Taking time to slow down long enough to talk to God and delight in the joy of His sweet presence-wherever we are, regardless of what we are doing, whether it's doing the dishes or driving to the store or shuttling the school car pool or preparing for and important meeting-can quiet our hearts and minds like nothing else. This is where we fin the hidden strength that can never be taken away from us.
-by Debra Evans (from blessing your husband)
