Present
noun
Definition of present: the time right now
Yesterday while thinking about what my One Little Word for 2016 means to me, I was reminded of the story of sisters Mary and Martha in the bible:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
While I do believe most people have qualities of both Mary and Martha, I would like to be able to say I am more like Mary who was present at the feet of Jesus rather than running around worried about planning a perfect Pinterest inspired party and ignoring what was really important. I do believe Martha had good intentions...her priorities where just a bit mixed up just as mine so often are. I want my priority to be Jesus.
This year I want to focus on living now and being present. Not the YOLO type of present :)... because I think that may be a bit reckless and that tends to focus on neglecting responsibilities BUT I do want to rid my days of things such as mindless Facebook scrolling, binge watching Netflix shows and worrying about whether the party I am planning or the craft I am doing with daycare kids will ever meet the high expectations I have for myself thanks to Pinterest. I am not saying Facebook, Netflix, and Pinterest are bad things by any means but I have given them too much of the precious time God has given me and that needs to change in 2016. I believe God gives us so many opportunities in the everyday to see his goodness... to shape us into the people he wants us to be... to serve others...to grow...and too often we are too busy or too distracted to really see them.
I chose the word Present for 2016 because like many people I struggle with being content. I tend to miss opportunities like Martha because I am easily distracted,.I tend to look towards the future and start planning for the next big thing rather than really living in the moment that God has given me right now.
I am hoping to change that in 2016 :)
So long 2015. It's been a good year.
