The Better Thing

I am going to physical therapy for Achilles tendonitis.
It is getting so much better and I am so grateful to the wonderful physical therapist that has been working with me.

As I was at my appointment this morning, I was watching all the people.
All of us have had a level of discomfort that brought us there for different reasons.

One mom was there with her young son.
He was waiting while she was being treated.
He was three years old.

I was mesmerized watching this precious little boy.
There he was with his Thomas the Tank Engine rolling backpack.
He parked himself right next to his mom as she was on a recumbent bike.
He opened his backpack and brought out all of his treasures.
There was an airplane, books, cars, and things to draw with…

He unloaded all of his things and then packed them up again.
He wheeled his Thomas backpack around to another spot right near her.
He set his things up there.
All the while, his mom’s careful eye protectively watched her son.
She would smile at him…he smiled back…and then proceeded to play.

It was wonderful to watch.

One of the young aides decided to give him a ride on a low wheeling object.
It wasn’t too busy that hour of the morning, so she put a long strap on one end and pulled him around the room.
He giggled and waved to me as he passed.

Then, when it was time to get off, he decided he would try it himself.
He laid himself down on the top, and scooted around as if he was in basic training.
His little legs going so fast.

He was not disruptive…he listened and obeyed when he needed to stop.
But he was having so much fun…all by himself.
There was nothing elaborate about his play…just good old imagination.

As I was driving home, I thought about that little boy.
I thought about where he sat.
He was right at his mother’s feet.

That special place was reserved for him.
Being there gave him the confidence to branch out on his own a bit.
But he always came back.
That was home base…it was safe…it was where he belonged.

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)

Every time we see Mary in the Gospels, she is at Jesus’ feet.
That posture, Jesus said, was the better thing.

Martha was doing important work…preparations had to be made.
Hospitality was vitally important in this culture.
But one word describes Martha that is never used to describe Mary.
Distracted.

Distraction leads to worry…which leads to blame and finger pointing.
A nagging, under the surface anger sets in.
Under those conditions, Martha could not have heard Jesus’ words even if she wanted to.

It wasn’t so much Mary’s posture that was the better thing, it was what Mary was doing.
She sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him.
She gave Him her full attention.

Jesus didn’t condemn Martha.
I imagine His tone to be loving…not condescending.

Jesus said that Mary chose what was better and that it would not be taken away from her.
When you listen to Jesus…really listen to His words…they are a part of you.
You are changed.

It is impossible to read God’s Word just like any other book.
No other book is living and active.
The Truth is forever etched in the heart…and the heart is changed.
The heart of stone becomes a heart of flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The person is made new.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Regret looks back…fear looks around…faith looks up.

The little boy looked up…right into the eyes of his mother.
He was in the place that was reserved for him.

Mary looked up…right into the eyes of Jesus.
That is the place reserved for a disciple…a student of the Lord Jesus.
No distractions…just a loving gaze…and a listening heart.

Home base…safe…where we belong.

 

 

2 responses to “The Better Thing”

1. Perfect for today – thanks Gina

   Reply

   • I needed the reminder as well, Diane.
     Miss you, friend.
     Gina

     Reply