But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
I had all these aspirations of who I would be as a wife and as a mother. Maybe I wasn’t perfect in carrying them out, but I was at least able to work hard at these aspirations and do what I intended every day. Then came the fibromyalgia.
I’ve gained loads of wisdom from having this disease much of which consist of understanding what’s most important in life. When your time is limited by health to less than half the amount of time you had before to accomplish your daily tasks — and you have no idea what each day will bring as far as energy, pain, and nerve sensations — you have to live to a higher level than most in choosing the necessary deeds first. And no matter how much it hurts, you learn you must say no to so many exploits you deeply desire to do even with or for your husband and children.
Before fibromyalgia I was more like Martha — worried and bothered by so many things — so many things I thought were so important. Unfortunately, it took me having a disease to force me to slow down and breath. Just to learn to let go of what I thought to be “necessary” aspirations to be more like Mary — more focused on choosing the good part which shall not be taken away.
Today I take more opportunities to sit at the feet of Jesus — to be with Him in spirit by meditation and prayer — necessary things that my worried busyness hindered before fibro. This has made me a better wife and mother as I reflect more on what Jesus desires most from me in these roles.
Maybe my husband and I have not built the business of our dreams, my house is not perfectly decorated or clean, we can’t entertain as I would like, meals are not always prepared or perfectly healthy, and I’m not able to enjoy recreational activities with him like I wish, but I guarantee my husband knows he’s respected, desired, and loved.
Maybe my kids don’t have a room full of trophies, a list full of talents and accomplishments, and a thorough education, but I guarantee the love of Christ has been so deeply instilled in them that it would be hard for them to turn away.
Many aspirations have had to be thrown to the side, but I will be sure that the love of Christ abounds in our home and that my every intent is to choose the most important aspiration — the necessary one that will not be taken away.
Prayer:
Lord God almighty, how You are faithful in giving me what is necessary for eternity. Thank you that I am able to sit at the feet of Jesus through Your word, meditation, and prayer. Forgive me when I have put my own aspirations before the good part which shall not be taken away. I will be sure to better focus my time on learning and living by the love of Christ all the days of my life not only for my own sake, but for the sake of others I continually influence. Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
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Truth in Love 