In His Presence

 

         A friend shared the story about how he and his wife, before she passed away, would go for walks in the park, long drives, or even just sit together on the front porch swing, discussing any variety of subjects from their children, future plans and even daily activities.  And then other times in the same scenarios, be together without ever saying a word.  He said even in silence, there was a connection neither one could likely describe, but it was comfortable and filled with a peace and unity that only comes from love.

My friend's story makes me think about how Mary sat down and listened to Jesus while Martha fretted about getting things done.  I must admit I’m more like Martha than Mary in the scripture from Luke 10:41-42.  I am a terrible ‘sitter’!  I’m one who is up and down, over and around, always seemingly doing something.  I fret when there are dishes in the sink, when the floor isn’t swept or laundry folded and refuse to leave my bed unmade.  These things drive me to keep at it, until the task is finished, regardless of the time or how tired I am.

Years ago, when my husband worked night shift, he would miss dinner with the children and me.  This was before the magical microwave invention!  So, at night when he’d arrive home, whether it be 10 p.m. or 1 a.m. I would get up, fix his food and then do dishes—without the added convenience of a dishwasher!  There were mornings I would wake, go to the kitchen, see the clean dishes in the sink, know that I’d washed them, but have no memory of having done it.  

I’m not sure what that says about my personality, except that, I’m somewhat of stressor, which is why I feel more like Martha.   But the idea of sitting at Jesus' feet and ‘just being’ gives such an image of rest and peace.  

We don’t all have someone in our lives with whom we can share the kind of connection, my friend described.  And to complicate this in today’s world, are those devices that are designed to keep us ‘connected’ yet seem to be, on some levels, breaking us apart.

It's interesting; I watch my own children grow in their families, and how quickly they reach for their phones for games or email, messages, etc when even a moment goes by without conversation. (And sometimes even during a conversation!)   It makes me wonder if they are afraid of their own thoughts.  I don't know, but it causes me pause.       

Peace and contentment are amazing gifts and sometimes we forfeit them for the most recent television show, movie, video game or other activity (even cleaning?).  Sitting still and ‘just being’ in God’s presence is amazing.

I’ve found the only way I can accomplish ‘being still’ for more than a moment is to have a planned time for God in my day.  This works best for me early in the morning (and/or just before going to sleep at night) and some days it’s a real effort to get up early enough before the ‘busy-ness’ of the day overtakes me!  Yet, I find if I don’t do this, my day seems ‘off.’  It’s clear I’ve missed a valuable component of the day that sets my mind, my heart, desires ---my comfort, peace and contentment levels—where they need to be!

Photo Credit:  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/811210951634583638/