Devotional for women

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NASB)

When I was about 9 years old, a close family friend joined all the others in the pursuit of technological advancement and bought a Betamax. I believe movies were available for the Betamax for about 2 years before they became obsolete in favor of the newer invention of the VCR. My parents exercised great constraint and wisdom by not giving into the “home entertainment” craze until the VCR was available. It was not unusual for us to go to the local video store on Friday afternoons and rent one or two movies to watch over the weekend. We had learned how to pop our popcorn in a paper sack in the microwave, so we were set. We’d pop our popcorn, press “play” and sit back to relax and enjoy all the latest films like “On Golden Pond”. After the opening credits my mother would begin to swing her foot. Ten minutes into the movie she would begin to lean forward and back on the couch. Just 30 minutes into the movie, she would jump up to “just put in a load of laundry.” I don’t ever remember my mom ever sitting through a movie at home. I just couldn’t understand her need to stay busy. Why couldn’t she enjoy a little entertainment or free time? I mean, as a stay at home mom, our house was always clean and we enjoyed delicious meals (always with a home cooked dessert). Didn’t she know that we didn’t expect her to work during the movie? It was fine with us for our laundry to wait for about an hour and a half ☺!

Now, 25+ years later, I suppose that I have become my mother. My family enjoys a movie night from time to time. The grandparents are great to send us the latest releases to be enjoyed on our DVD player (who would have guessed that VCRs would have lasted so long?!). To the great bemusement of my husband and puzzlement of my children, I have found it nearly impossible to sit through a movie at our house. Whenever I stop moving about the house, I begin to review the “to do list” in my head. Thinking (obsessing) about all these undone items inevitably leads to my rushing to complete the tasks.

The busy work in my life persists in being urgent and, not being blessed with the ability to do one task while thinking on other matters, I often fail to stop long enough to consider the eternal things that really matter. This behavior is very typical of mothers. But, we aren’t called to be typical. Paul teaches that we are called to bear fruit. The very real danger for me, as for many moms, is that I am capable of turning the task of bearing fruit into “busy work.”

I pray for each of us that we will be transformed by continual renewing of our minds as we sit at the feet of Jesus. And remember, even fruit trees become dormant in the winter.