One Thing
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.“
Luke 10:38-42
Your day isn’t going to be any different than mine. Though my list includes sixteen things in a seven-thing day, you have your list too. And no matter if we have three or thirty things to try to squeeze in before the final tooth-brushing of the day, the same issue is before us: Will we be distracted by the work-to-be-done, like Martha, or will we be centered on the Lord-to-be-loved, like Mary?
My drive to Dad’s home in Burlington, NC, was awesomely beautiful, but within the first two hours of arriving I had visited the office of his primary care doctor to take care of all the paper work the memory care facility needs back in Nashville; stopped by the assisted living facility Ruth, my step-mom, will soon enter; visited Ruth at Twin Lakes rehab center where she will be for the next three or four weeks after a fall left her unable to use her right hand; came to see my dear Dad and introduced myself to him seven times; drove back to Twin Lakes to help Ruth wade through a pile of papers and bills needing attention; then came back to visit with Dad and reintroduce myself to him a few more times….finally, I went to bed, profoundly aware of your prayers and the goodness of Jesus.
Only ONE THING is really necessary today, only ONE THING, cannot be taken away from us: Staying alive to Jesus and his love for us-drinking in his grace, adoring him in our hearts, expecting to see his faithfulness, relying on his power, and serving as conduits of his compassion. Let’s choose well.