+Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—SHOULD. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
SHOULD
Heat rising from the bubbling stew steamed her almost as much as her sister’s lack of helping. Martha stirred the pot again.
Why wasn’t Mary in here helping her? They were supposed to prepare the meal so the men could listen to Jesus, right? So what right did her sister have to sit at the Master’s feet and leave Martha to do all the work?
She should be in here, helping with dishes, and chopping vegetables and helping with . . . . anything would be nice.
“Master, my sister should be helping me with the food prep.”
She was a brazen one when expectations weren’t met.
“Martha,” His gentle voice chastened. “Your sister has chosen the better thing. It will not be denied her.”
How would you have felt hearing those words from the One you were trying to please?
Isn’t it interesting how often we can get some great idea in our head, and it really is a good idea. But when we twist it up into what we think it should look like? We choke the life out of the inspiration the Master gives.
I’ve been guilty of this many times. I begin some grand endeavor, and then I get upset when others don’t go along with my plan (I might be hanging my head at this admission).
God challenges me to give up my expectations of what others should be doing to come alongside me in the great plan. Instead, He’s teaching me to turn to Him.
God has this amazing way of re-aligning my perspective when I begin to get out of sync with His plan.
When I take over the good plans He has, I always, always end up frustrated, discouraged, defeated. And then, I have to come back before Him, after His gentle (usually) chastening, and confess that I took His plan and morphed it into my less-than-great plan.
Instead of being the striving “do-er,” I need to become more like Mary and just be.
Be at the feet of Jesus.
Be attentive to His words and promptings.
Be open to His working in my heart.
What about you? When has God had to redirect you as you carried out a plan? What is one thing God has taught you when you chose to sit at His feet?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday—Should