The Biggest Mistake I Made This Christmas

​Well, we're all just a bunch of sinners trying to get it right, right? Since this is a place of grace, centered on transparency and Jesus, I feel like I can share my biggest flop over the holidays. In the last five days, I decided to put on my Martha pants and forget to wholly submerge myself at the feet of Jesus, like Mary. If you haven't heard of this true story in the Scriptures, check it out below: 

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

​Is anyone else reading this a Martha by nature? I'm so her! I'm a planner and doer and pleaser and worrier and blamer. When I start to drift the way of the world and give in to those fleshly tendencies, I have to catch myself. I have to consciously place relationships over ribbons and recipes. I'm getting better, but I've still not mastered Mary's ways. Jesus said it, Mary's ways (relationship with Jesus) are better and everlasting. That's what we need in our lives, not the busyness and hoopla. 

Christmas Eve

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Now, let me preface my mistake by giving myself some grace. Our family counselor (a post for another time), told me that I need to be more compassionate with myself. With that in mind, I also want to focus on the things I did right. There certainly is something to the whole positive thinking mindset and speaking out your hopes and successes. We have been out of our routine since spending the last three weeks in Tucson and I've been striving to keep our priorities in line regardless of our location.  I've continued to read our children's Bible over breakfast (most days), attended our home church in Tucson, prayed over meals, weaved the true meaning of Christmas into our conversations, provided meals and gift cards for the homeless, read and watched Christmas material that honored Jesus, and sang our newborn King "Happy Birthday."  All that is good, but I missed the most IMPORTANT part! 

We're so quick to judge, shame, and compare ourselves. And I went there first. Instead, we need to simply acknowledge our misstep, ask for forgiveness and obey those little nudges from the Holy Spirit that take us right back to right.  So here it is, an honest prayer to our Heavenly Father: 

​Thank you for the astounding, amazing, AWEsome gift of Christmas. Thank you (such an understatement) for sending your Son to save me. How my life has changed because of that sweet baby! Thank you for the gift of family and time to bond with our loved ones over the holidays. Thank you for our financial blessings, that we can provide a gift for our children. Thank you that you love us so fully, regardless of our sins, and desire us to be in deep relationship with you. Thank you for drawing me to you and back to you when I let my Martha nature take over. Lord, I am sorry that in the days leading up to Christmas and the days after, I failed to make time to sit at your feet. I didn't open Your Word and spend time in dedicated prayer. I got wrapped up in busy schedules, presents, and festivities, and caring for our children. I pulled a Martha God. Lord, I ask you to continue transforming my heart to look more like Mary's. Help me to make you my number one priority, regardless of what is going on around me. I love you, God. I pray this in Jesus' name,  Amen. 

​So, there you have it. I failed to read the Scriptures and spend dedicated time in prayer with God over the period of a few days. It might not seem like to big deal, but I've come to learn it's a BIG deal! If I want to look, live, and love like Christ I have to be in the Word each day--learning his ways and listening to God's leading in my life. If not, I miss it. And he is NOT something I want to miss! 

Back in the saddle, four days post Christmas! (Photo credit: Lincoln, age 5)

Keep a lookout for my next post on ways to read your Bible in 2020. 

​Are you feeling bold and transparent today? Leave a comment with your biggest mistake during the holiday season. Also, note the things you did well and share how you plan to do it better next time!