What Really Matters

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”  But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 NLT) Today I started to feel guilty that I couldn't be of more help in the kitchen. Instead, I found myself chasing 1 year old London around the house and cuddling her for a nap. People think it's crazy that I still hold her for most of her naps, and maybe they're right. However, as I was sitting here thinking about all the details of the Thanksgiving meal, all the missed conversations and opportunities to reconnect, God gently reminded me that my true purpose for this day lay right in front of me...on my lap to be exact. When Jesus went to stay with Martha, she missed the point of His visit. The point was not to impress Jesus with a tidy house and perfectly prepared meal. No, instead, the point was to spend time connecting with her Savior. So today, on this day of thanksgiving, I will be thankful for the time I have to connect with my tiny girl. Time goes so quickly, and before I know it, she will be too big to fit in my lap and too busy to cuddle. God has given me the enormous gift and responsibility of motherhood, and I fully intend not to waste it. There will always be dishes to do and laundry to fold (or throw in the bottom of my closet), but when it's all said and done, London will not remember if the rug was vacuumed or the laundry was neatly put away. She will remember sitting on the porch watching planes fly over our backyard, having spontaneous dance parties in the living room, and, yes, falling asleep in her mother's arms (And let's be honest...I am far better at these things than I am at housework!). I pray that these years I spend as a mom will be done so in the spirit of Mary. There will always be housework to do and meals to prepare, but my London will only be a baby for the blink of an eye. I'm done wasting energy on guilt and insignificant details. Today I choose to be thankful. Today I choose London.