Mary and Martha: In His Presence

This week has been a difficult one for Kenny and I.  We are in the midst of figuring out what is best for Lacy, whether it be a nursing home or our home.  We have agonized over the necessity of needing to move Lacy, and our desire to make sure he feels safe and loved.

I've not slept well, and have felt the weight of worry on my heart and mind.  This morning, the Lord began to speak to me in that still, small voice that is the true voice of God.

As I was driving to work, a scripture popped into my head: "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" (Matthew 6:27).  I fully realized that I was being reminded that worrying would not solve my problems.  The very next thought in my mind was the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10.

I have always felt sorry for Martha, because it seemed she was getting chastised for making dinner. I felt that Jesus was saying that making a meal is not nearly as important as sitting at His feet listening.  But then, it hit me that what Jesus was really saying was that Martha's worrying was depriving her of joy in service.  Mary was finding peace and joy sitting at Jesus' feet.  Martha's service was just as important, but she was so worried that she was robbing herself.  When I got to work, I read the passage and really keyed in on Jesus' words: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."  I think that better part was finding joy in His presence.

I consciously gave my anxiety to Jesus, and asked Him to take my worries about Lacy's transition to the nursing home.  This morning Kenny called to report that when Lacy had his evaluation for transition to the nursing home, the person doing the evaluation sat down with Kenny and LifeStyles staff to make a plan for Lacy.  The plan addresses all our concerns and our worries.

All afternoon, this song has been running through my head:

In Your presence, in Your presence
There is peace.
In Your presence, in Your presence
There is joy.

I will linger, I will stay
In Your presence day by day
That Your likeness may be seen in me.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suddenly...It's Spring

Spring comes without warning, it seems.  Suddenly everything is green, flowers are blooming, and the world is waking up.  New life is everywhere.  Robins are hopping around our backyard, some are building nests in nearby trees and shrubs.  There is an expectancy in the air. The cycle of grief is a recursive one.  Back and forth it seems to go for months on end.  Great sadness, numbness, depression, exhaustion; until one day a memory comes and it is not painful but poignant.  Rather than a tear falling, a smile comes and with it a hint of joy and a lightness of spirit. Ten months have passed since we lost our Lacy.  We made it through some big firsts; birthday, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  The anniversary date of his home-going is not far away. In these ten months, Kenny and I have begun to find our way into new patterns and traditions. Sunday afternoons have become a time for visiting friends, enjoying walks, or just relaxing...
Read more

Countdown

Four weeks from today will be two years since we lost Lacy. I keep getting reminders on my Facebook feed of the last few weeks of Lacy's life.  The last year, I took a picture of him every week.  I wanted to make sure I could remember him, and the good - and bad - times we had together. I feel a sense of dread about May 28.  I am thankful that it falls on Memorial Day, so we will not have to go to work.  I am also thankful that we took every opportunity to spend time with him.  The last time was 5pm on May 27, 2016.  Nine hours later, he was gone. As I drove away from the nursing home that evening, a scripture popped into my head:  ...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection... (Philippians 3:10) That power has sustained us for nearly two years.
Read more

Day by Day

Alan is doing better since his hospitalization.  His outbursts are fewer, and are less "pitched" than before his med changes.  The staff assigned to him at his group home are doing well with him.  They have to pick their battles, as we all do, and are trying to keep him to a schedule. We took Alan to his neurology appointment this week.  Usually when someone asks Alan how he is doing, he just says "fine," but on this day he answered, "My knees are weak, and I have to lean over and hold on to things." After examination, Alan's doctor recommended physical therapy, as Alan is perilously close to falling.  While we don't know if Alan will be able to follow a therapists directions, or will even want to cooperate, we will arrange for a consultation. I can deal with the nuts and bolts of being an advocate and sometimes caregiver for my son, but I find it hard to maintain the focus I need when I hear his say that he is having trouble walking.  It is ...
Read more