“Being” More with God Facilitate’s “Doing” More of God’s Work
Last weekend I was on retreat with my sisters in Christ from St. Peter’s in Round Top, Texas. Although this is not the first “Girlfriend Getaway,” it is the first time that I have been able to attend. Even two years ago when my daughter, Mary Beth, went with the rest of the Children’s Ministry Team, I had a conflict so I missed it. That year, Mary Beth came home with uplifted spirits, great stories and an insistence that I should not miss this event.
As late as Thursday evening, it looked like life would once again interfere with my retreat plans. It was early Friday morning when Mary Beth fussed at me over the phone about not doing anything just for myself. Isn’t it sad when a twenty year old is wiser than her mother?
Due to the loving kindness of my wonderful St. Peter’s friends, I finally accomplished my retreat. In the course of two days I laughed harder than I have in a long time, I cried buckets of tears, and I came home with good intentions about building a closer relationship with God. In my prayer group last weekend, I shared details of my life with women I knew and others I had never before met. And, they shared with me. We lifted each other up while we were there and they have each been in my prayers since our return. My life was enriched by the time spent away from home and in the arms of God, old friends and new friends whom I hope to see again.
Our speaker for the weekend was Rev. Judy Tefteller who is an associate pastor at Kingwood UMC. The theme for the weekend was the story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary as told in Luke 10:38-42. From that story, Judy led us into a contemplation of how, if we can spend time “being” with God, it will compliment and enrich the things we “do” for God. She was a wonderful speaker and had us all thinking, praying and sharing before the end of our first session together on Friday evening. By the end of the day Saturday I was convinced that if I can take Judy’s message to heart, I’ll be a richer person who serves God with a more open spirit deeply grounded in the love of Christ and scripture.
True confession… for those of you who know me well, you already know that I am completely a “Martha.” My days are filled with lists of what I need to do, what I need to accomplish to have a successful day. My agenda is always a little bit longer than the time I have to accomplish it! And of course those things left undone spill over onto the next day’s agenda. Yes, I do pray, a lot. Yes, I do have a devotional that I try to be attentive to each day. But rarely do I ever take time to sit and be with God. I’m not very good at sitting without a task at hand. So, my “Mary” side in undeveloped.
Now that I have returned home I understand that God wanted me to be in Round Top. Not just for myself but for Him. Never before have I faced the hard truth that God wants more of me than my faith and work! Yes, I needed the time at the Girlfriend Getaway to step away from Houston and all of my commitments. Yes, I needed time to be in community with other women who face many of the same daily dilemmas that I face. But mostly, I think, I needed time to be Mary – to sit at the Lord’s feet listening to what He says. And I needed the urging and challenging of others to develop the Mary side of me.
In my devotional this morning, it suggested that we give up the dream of having a problem-free life. Rather, the author said, pour your energy into seeking God and enjoy Him in the midst of adverse circumstances. The scripture, John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Peace in the Lord, gathered by spending time “being” with God, through quiet, contemplative time, listening for the Spirit… what a tremendous gift that would be in my life. What about yours?
Showers of Blessings,
Leah Taylor