Monday, December 9, 2013

Partners in Parenting



Partners in Parenting
“What is Necessary?”
It seems like my process of getting ready for Christmas this year has been more flooded with advertising than I ever recall.  Well, honestly, that is probably due to doing some online shopping this year where an email address is required to place the order.  Funny thing is:  I’ve never ordered a gift and had it sent to any place other than my home address.  Why is my email address important if you aren’t going to ship it to my email address?  Ah, advertising! 
All this has made me very conscious about what is necessary and important, and what is not!  I am trying to notice the excessiveness of Christmas.  I am trying to sift through commercialism to remain focused on Jesus, His birth, and worshipping Him.  I have started to see things all around me that “just aren’t necessary.”  It has become rather fun to do because I realize how abundantly God has blessed us with so much.  Do I need:
Dessert, an extra helping, more clothes, another pair of shoes, a left turn lane on the bridge, the latest version of all things “electronic” or “smart,” more lights and decorations to make my house comparable to the neighbor’s house, etc.
Yes, parents, I even noticed that it is a bit unnecessary to have a left turn lane on the bridge going over the spillway about a mile south of school.  Really!! Part of me just wants to turn on my blinker and sit there for a while to see what people do, but that might get me an overnight stay at a psychiatric hospital or even a jail!  Like many things all around us, we don’t need it, but it is there. 
What is needed is one thing – Jesus!  That goes for Christmastime and every day of our lives.  Jesus reminded Martha of that in the Bible when Mary wouldn’t help her with the housework.  Jesus reminded Martha that only ONE thing is needed.  What is necessary?  JESUS.  “Martha, Martha, Jesus answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41, 42





























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