Good Tidings!

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

Wishing you a joyful Christmas celebration! Take time to remember the reason for the season.

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Book Signing Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who attended my book signing on Saturday, December 19th at Sign of the Fish bookstore. Praying those who read "My Heart's Desire" will find everlasting peace, joy and love. Enjoy!

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Mary a.k.a. Martha

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

My given name is Mary, but these days you wouldn’t know it. I more closely resemble her workaholic sister, Martha. I love December and all the magic of Christmas, but I find I am running myself ragged doing everything but sitting at my Savior’s feet; drinking from the living water of His Spirit. There’s shopping, decorating, party-planning and more, all being juggled alongside my work, family, and church commitments. Each year I tell myself it will be different; I won’t be in such a rush to complete the “to do list” I’ve compiled. But is that realistic, or even possible for a Martha personality? It is if I allow it to be.

Today I purposed to spend time reading my Bible, and reflecting on what God longed to say to my busy troubled heart. You see, I do find great joy in serving Him by “doing” things for others. There are times I am convinced the Father is calling me to get up from my chair and act upon the commands He has given, not just soak in all His love for myself. People need to be touched by the love of Christ in word and in deed. They go hand-in-hand. If they didn’t, Jesus would not have provided such an example of servant hood for us to model. My problem is often the same as Martha’s. My motivation for serving coupled with my attitude is not aligned with Jesus’ desires. This is what leaves me empty and dry.

As I communed with my precious Savior today, I found my soul quenched by His words of hope and life. Every time I read about spiritual darkness I am filled with gratitude for how God drew me to Himself, and illuminated my entire being with His love. Energy infused, I am reading to face the day. The Father assures me that wanting to do good things is not bad, but when I start to feel resentful of all that is before me it’s my signal to stop and do a heart-check. As I confess my sin of worry over many things that God has not ordained, I find forgiveness and peace. Praying that I will live more as Mary than Martha, and that I drink daily from heaven’s fountain of living water so Christ’s light can shine through me into a dark world. What a joy that will be! "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary