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Friday, November 30, 2012

pondering


Something occurred to me today. The Innkeeper did not receive a holy messenger to inform him Jesus was on the way and would be born in his establishment. Others were given a forewarning...why not this guy?? Wouldn't he have preferred to make sure there was a nice, cozy room available? Would he have scrubbed all the walls, ceilings and floors? Would he have gone out and purchased all the best food and drinks for his important guests? Would he have done everything in his power to be sure all was PERFECT...even if it meant running himself into the ground with exhaustion?

So...that raised another question...is this a possible reason WHY he wasn't given a heavenly head's up? And I wonder, how would the message in the story of our Messiah's birth be different if he had been born in a cozy, plush, well-to-do-top-of-the-line room?

Final question I'm asking myself today...as I ponder this story as well as the story of Martha preparing her home and a meal for Jesus...why do I fuss and fret and have this belief that I am not valuable if I am not DOING DOING DOING? Or if others "DO" more than I do, why am I plunged into a cycle of self-doubt, insecurity, and guilt?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 
for I am gentle and humble in heart, 
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Jesus
(Matthew 11:28-30)

8 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...


This is sooooooo good.

See, I told ya, you are growing up by leaps and bounds!!!

I think your reason is one of the reasons - - - and the other is because Jesus was to be the savior of the world, not just the privileged.

Mary/Martha is quite a dilemma, isn't it? If we are ALL MARY we miss opportunities 'cause we aren't ready and if we're ALL MARTHA we miss opportunities 'cause we're still getting ready.

I think that's why He made some of us Marys and some of us Marthas - - - so together we'd make a complete team.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Outstanding thoughts ... excellent insights ... a very timely reminder as we risk running ourselves into the ground with exhaustion during this holiday season.

I can't find my blog said...

Your mama was right. This is good.

I think the question that I find me asking myself is "Is this really what I'm supposed to be doing?" As in: being a mom, housekeeper, helpmate to my husband, etc., or is there something else that I'm called to do. I mean, there is something, but how do I know when?

Unknown said...

I found your blog through a link from your mom's blog. That verse from Matthew is one of my favorite verses. I shared a lesson with my older group of children at our project in Honduras this week, albeit with differing commentary.

I always felt that the innkeeper was not aware so that we would have a lesson about being hospitable to the poor and needy no matter if we have some special trumpeting sound in our spirit or not. The woman was about to give birth. Even if she was just giving birth to any mortal man, he could have excercised compassion and opened his own home to her with a bed and clean surroundings. I feel like I miss the mark a lot because I fail to respond to simple human need.

Anonymous said...

Where's the "like" button???
Anonnymus

Anita Johnson said...

I am visiting from your mom's blog too. Glad I did. It is so easy this time of year to get overwhelmed and so much of it is just not important. This year I am making time to celebrate the Savior's birth. It requires nothing but my heart. Merry Christmas to you! (A fellow Wisconsinite)

Theresa said...

I am visiting from your Mom's blog! Great message in your post to all of us who think we have to DO, DO, DO:) Have a blessed day and thanks for sharing your message! HUGS from Geogia!

Vidya Sury said...

Dearest Keri, I am blessed to know you, thanks to Keetha. I've been following your blog for a while now, and you are more than enough. It is definitely your goodness that drives you to keep "doing". Jesus is smiling at you - close your eyes for a moment and feel the warmth in your heart.

Huge hugs to you - and happy, happy Christmas. God bless you.