We told our kids that it was National Deep-Clean Your Room Day this past weekend. And though they thought we were kidding, they reluctantly pulled out everything from under their beds, vacuumed the baseboards, and threw away a bag full of hoarded, broken plastic items.
I must admit that the end result felt really good to this recovering clean freak, but the process wasn’t that pretty for my spirit. Halfway through the morning I was…irritated. There were piles slung all over the rooms and my little ones didn’t seem to hold my same cleaning standards which…just…irritated me.
So I had to step away, because irritability isn’t fruit of His Spirit.
Looking back, I was Martha. Remember when Martha was “distracted by much serving” while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. So she irritatedly chided Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40)
Jesus didn’t send Mary to help. Instead He addressed Martha’s heart, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Granted my kids weren’t sitting at Jesus’ feet. They were whining and being slow to obey. But, I was distracted with the tasks rather than tending first to hearts.
God convicted me, because irritability doesn’t bless me or anyone else in my path. And as I chose to ask for His perspective, I saw people more than the piles.
Fill me, Lord…
Have you had a recent Martha moment?
How did you get out of it?
I feel like I’ve hit a Chapter 7 wall in memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. So I’m excited about going to a “#WriteTheWord” party tomorrow night. My goal is to write out Jesus’ words, asking Him to minister them deep onto my heart (and memory).
I’m praying for all of you who have been walking (however quickly or slowly) this journey with me. It isn’t about checking it off of our list. It’s about storing up the treasures of His truths in our hearts so that He would affect our daily living. So with that, we press on.
{Week 38}
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
Lara !!!!!! Tell me about your party! What a sweet blessing to see this being put into action! The Lord is good. I can’t wait to hear all the details!!!!!
Jodi, the crazy thing is I had nothing to do with planning it! My sister and a friend of ours totally did it on their own. I’m so excited that the word is spreading…and excited that I get to be a part of a local party. 🙂
This is for me. Too often I’m irritable about the very things you write about – the housework I just did getting undone by itty bitties and teens, kids forgetting to do what they’ve been asked to do, etc etc, and I definitely need to remember “irritability is not a fruit of His Spirit.” I want to be filled with His Spirit. I’ve been praying about this recently, really convicted, and I appreciate your words this morning.
He’s so tender to open our eyes to our own weaknesses. Isn’t He? But it isn’t to crush us. It’s to remind us of our continual desperation for Him. Praying with you, Shannon, that I am focused on hearts more than the tasks at hand.
Lara, thru my tears I offer thanks for these words. Thank you.
You are precious. And so tender to Him, my friend. We’re all on the journey. You aren’t alone. We’re just needy for His grace. That’s what’s so amazing about Him. Praying and believing Him to fill us full today. 🙂
This —–> “I was distracted with the tasks rather than tending first to hearts.” <—–How often this is my day. Thank you for your words this morning!
Oh, I can totally relate to this! Especially with my children…I let their attitudes and forgetfulness get the better of me and I turned into a ranting, irritated mother. This is very convicting for me and I will spend some time praying about how God would want me to be able to step back and calm my nerves…
Wow Lara! So often your posts get me but today you landed a straight shot between my eyes. Trying to figure out how I can put that up on a wall somewhere so I am CONSTANTLY reminded.
Thank you so much!!
Duh, that meaning quoting you on “Irritability isn’t fruit of His Spirit”
I am such a Martha! This is something that I am constantly working through in my own life. I appreciate your honesty!