Day without Laughter

Yesterday was a typical day with my four month old little boy. I fed him, burped him, dressed him, changed his diaper, changed his clothes (after spit up), washed his clothes, changed his close again (more spit up), put him down for his nap, and so on. All day I was busy with house work and taking care of our son. When my husband came home, he hugged me and then went straight over to pick up our son. I went back to fixing the baby book that I have neglected for the past three months until I heard a noise. For the first time that day I heard my son begin to laugh. I realized that in all of my “taking care” of him, I forgot to spend time with him!

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus visits the home of sisters Mary and Martha. Mary sits at His feet to spend some time with the Lord while Martha stars working to prepare things for Jesus. Finally, Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to tell Mary to come help her. Jesus responds by praising Mary for spending time with Him and telling Martha that it is better to spend time with Jesus than to try to prepare things for Him.

I think I am guilty of this not only with my son, but also with the Lord. I heard a pastor once say, “Satan’s greatest tool for distracting God’s children is business.” I have also heard it said recently that the most common reason given for not going to church is that people are “too busy.” Even if we are busy with good things—charity work, community involvement, church services, ect.—if our business is distracting us from God’s purpose than it is wrong.

This past year I became guilty of the same mistake Martha made. I too busy with my own life to spend time with the Lord. At other times in my life, I have been too busy with the things that I think are important that I have passed up the people that God considers important. After a miserable year spent drifting away from God’s presence, I will make every effort to fill my life with the things God is working to for rather than the things I am hoping to accomplish.

God, help me not to be so busy that I stop spending time with You.