Love Day

What if we all just took one day out of our hectic week and called it, Love Day. A day where everyone put aside the busyness of life and seized the day with someone who needs to be heard and loved on.
I love LOVE! I love to receive it, give it and support it. It's truly remarkable!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects. always trusts. always hopes. always perseveres.
Love never fails.

LOVE....I believe is the greatest gift you could ever give someone. There is something sincerely admirable about extending your heart to another person. Setting aside time to be with someone and to  just listen to their hearts as they share life with you. No outline is needed, just pull up a chair and welcome the sweet conversation between two people. Spending moments creating life, just talking, laughing, crying and being. Being together, sharing compassion for one another, what a delightful blessing! A day spent with someone is a day well spent.

 I have made it a priority in my life to set aside at least one day a week where I have lunch or dinner  with a friend even if my week is crazy and my calendar is full. I pencil in time to slow down and embrace love. In all honesty. its the best part of my week! It fills my heart with enormous pleasure and restores my weary soul. Isn't it wonderful that God placed people in our lives who can help us feel renewed? People who love you just the way you are! No strings attached or hidden agendas. Just being together enjoying each other's company. We learn so much about life when listening and spending time with one another. Some have already  walked in our shoes or may be walking in them now. Encouragement is exchanged in these sweet moments spent together. Words do not even have to be spoken, you just understand! They can hear you with their hearts when you haven't spoken a word. You know them and they know you!  Making time to be with the ones you love or the ones who need to be loved, is a beautiful blessing in life.  Every day is a new day. Another opportunity to share a love story with someone! One with great promise, building on a foundation of trust and commitment. It's a breathtaking dance between two hearts.
And I am extremely grateful for it!

Love one another deeply from the heart!

Love ya,
Tina

Works and Worship

Inspired from the story of Mary and Martha, which has been one of my most treasured narratives in Scripture. Let's face it, what woman doesn't identify with a hardworking Martha? Frustrated as she watches her captivated sister sitting at the feet of Jesus. As women our daily activities can consume our days quickly. Our minds and souls become weary and all we really want to do at the end of the day is steal a few quiet moments to ourselves. However some days that seems impossible. We've  all felt the struggle just as Martha, busy cleaning and cooking to prepare the house for guest, Wanting to worship like Mary. Who doesn't admire the loving devotion of Mary? She was fascinated with Jesus' words it drew her in. But the Martha inside each one of us speaks loudly and reminds us that there is too much to be done. Oh no, she didn't!!

Mary is drawn into Jesus even in the midst of all the busyness surrounding her. All she really desires is to sit at His feet and hang on to every word, as she feels her mind and soul being renewed. Sweet Martha, in the other room is busy with all the preparations that must be completed as guest arrive. Longing in her heart to rest at the feet of Jesus but there is just too much to be done. Certainly hospitality was a special gift of Martha's. She was a noble and beloved follower and friend of Jesus.

Luke writes:

Now as they were traveling along. He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called, Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, " Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." ( Luke 10:38-42)

Ouch!! Martha's complaint sounds naïve and girlish. And yet, Jesus' reply while containing a mild rebuke, has a fatherly tone to it.
Poor Martha, I can totally relate to her disappointment and need to be heard. We all can at times, right?

Having a heart like Mary, intrigues us. We hunger for it deep down inside. There's a calling on all of us to know and love God deeper. A thirst that only His presence can quench. We want to sit at His feet but the busyness of life can seem to swallow us up. The craving for intimacy continues to strum on our heart strings.

But like Martha, there's a part that just can't let go. There's too much to be done. Exhausted, wondering how will I find the time? In what hour of the day. It can seem so out of reach, some days.
Nurturing our spiritual life seems like just one more thing we have to do, another chore or duty to add to the full,' what else needs to be done list.' In a life already spilling over with responsibilities. Oh Martha's sweet heart, aimed to please, enjoyed serving her guest. She too loves Jesus.

Jesus had apparently came at Martha's request. She was the one who welcomed Him in, signifying that she was the actual hostess of ceremonies in their home. She fussed over her hostess duties. She wanted everything to be just right. She's truly a considerate hostess, with admirable traits. As many of you ladies have done when you have hosted a dinner party. In that minute we want everything to be perfect.
It's a beautiful description of how Jesus comes on the scene. He was the perfect houseguest. He immediately makes Himself at home, enjoying the fellowship and conversation. Mary instantly sits herself down at His feet and listens. As Martha went right to work.
Martha and Mary both loved Jesus, Mary longed to soak up all she could while He was with her. She chose not to be distracted by chores. Martha could not agree with this type of serving therefore in her desire to serve, she was missing out on an opportunity to spend time with her guest. Oh beloved, a part of us wants to worship like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus but there is also a part that is so much like Martha, distracted by the many things in our daily lives that need to be done.

But there is a better part, a good part, as Jesus speaks about in Luke. The good part is available to both Mary and Martha, and to each of us! Regardless of our gifts, talents or personalities. It's a choice we must make.
It isn't "more" He requires. In fact it may be less. We must learn to slow down, stop to smell the roses and allow Him to draw us close as we let go of our busyness and sit at His feet and listen.

Let you soul be soften.

Love,
Tina