Who Will You Spend Time With?

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

But truthfully, holidays can be stressful for many families.

The hustle and bustle, the financial strain of buying gifts for everyone, preparing extravagant meals.

And the dreaded question:

Who will we spend time with this holiday?

If you are married, divorced or even dating, you know what it is like to have to split time between households and family members.

It can become a source of conflict and controversy amongst loved ones.

And visits and conversations that are brief leave you with the feeling of wanting more.

It is hard to focus on just one person.

Coming from a large his, mine and ours family, I have seen this scenario play out repeatedly over the years.

I keep my expectations realistic, knowing that I may only get a few precious moments with loved ones.

But moments like these are the greatest gifts.

This past Christmas, I got a beautiful treasure from my niece.

We had breakfast together at our favorite little cafe.

And over coffee and avocado toast, she shared her life and her heart with me.

One of my most cherished moments this Christmas.

These are the treasures that mean the most, being in the presence of loved ones.

Mary understood this well.

When Jesus came to her home, she was not worried about gifts or preparing an extravagant meal.

She simply wanted to focus on one person: Jesus.

Mary wanted to hear Him share His heart.

But this was the source of conflict with her own sister.  

“ As they went on their way, they came to a town where a woman named Martha lived. She cared for Jesus in her home.Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. Martha was working hard getting supper ready. She came to Jesus and said, “Do You see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me.”Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10: 38-42

Friends, sometimes we choose busyness over sitting at the feet of the One who gave us the greatest gift we have ever known.

He only asks for us to be present with Him.

Start right now.

Take time to be present with Him today and in the new year.

It is the greatest gift we can offer the One who gave us His all.