Sitting At His Feet

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and HEARD HIS WORD. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him and said, LORD, doest thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

This scripture refers to a tradition of the time it was written. In those days scholars of the scripture would travel from town to town teaching. People along the way would welcome the teachers and their followers into their home. Those wishing to hear the teaching would sit at the feet of rabbi to learn from him.

In Acts Paul proclaims that he had learned "at the feet of Gemaliel. This was what Mary was doing. She wasn't just relaxing and socializing as her sister prepared the food. She was sitting at the feet of Christ as He taught His disciples.

Can you imagine literally sitting at the feet of Jesus? How can we today "sit at the feet of Jesus"? We sit at His feet when we read God's Word, when we pray, when we worship in spirit and truth.

I remember a hymn from my childhood. I never enjoyed singing it. It was so slow and not a tune I really liked But the words! What meaning in the words of this old hymn. How life changing it is to sit at the feet of Jesus.



1. Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day;
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.
2. Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows,
And, when weary, find sweet rest;
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray;
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day.
3. Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,
As *I sit low at Thy feet; [*I’m waiting]
Oh, look down in love upon me,
Let me see Thy face so sweet;
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,
Keep me holy as He is;
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

Why Worry?

Why do I worry? Why do I fear?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they... do not worry. Matthew 6: 26, 31

Then the scripture tells us how not to worry.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

I must learn that no matter what is going on in my life that worry just robs me of the joy God intended for me. If I will seek Him then He will take care of everything else.

Happiness/Contentment Continued

The Lord seems to be showing me so many things on this topic of contentment. Today I read a quote by Thoreau

“Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…”

So often we get focused on our own circumstances, our own pursuit of happiness that we forget that happiness comes in so many forms. Contentment is something we experience even when things are not perfect.

Happiness is so much more attainable when we are busy being about our Father's business. We begin to see His blessings in our life and see His hand at work at all times.

Today I am pondering....

Galatians 5:16-26 (New King James Version)

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

What does this scripture say about my struggles with my eating habits and about my recent weight gain?

A Walk in the Rain

I just read a quote which I think goes along with yesterday's blog.

"Some people walk in the rain,others just get wet"

I'm reminded of a walk in the rain of my own. This was a literal walk in the rain.

Ben and I had traveled to TN to attend an awards convocation where Mitchell would be receiving a generous scholarship from an architecture firm in that area. I donned my best gray suit, put extra effort into fixing my hair and makeup and wore my 3.5" black heels.

We met Mitchell at his dorm and planned to walk to the building where the banquet would be held. Of course, it rained. Well, it drizzled but still by the time we arrived at our destination my hair didn't look so good and my feet were wet because I removed the 3.5" heels so that I could actually walk.

I could have fussed and been in a foul mood for the rest of the evening. Instead we had quite a good chuckle over it all. Ben even commented to one observer of my shoeless trek that we were from WV as if that explained it all.

I did get wet but best of all I had a "walk in the rain" with my hilarious husband and talented son!

I pray that I can always see things in that light... to choose to see circumstances as a "walk in the rain" rather than complaining because I'm getting wet.

I love "time"

I enjoy Facebook. I'm often intrigued by the openness of some when it comes to status updates. Have you ever noticed how often the words love and hate are used? Have you seen the many references to weather?

I see those cheering for the snow, those hating the snow, those bashing the heat and those boasting of lazing in the sun.

Here in the east many locations are being pummeled with snow. I love snow! I cheer for snow and sometimes I pout when others are reporting their accumulation as I continue to watch it rain.

Today I saw a post which said "I'm tired and cold and by the way I hate winter time." The status caused me to ponder. I love Wintertime! In fact, I love time! I cherish time.

Whether it's bitterly cold or suffocatingly hot, whether snowing or raining... it's still time. It's time with family, time to work, time to relax, time to love, time to play.

A friend asked me today "How are you?" I said "good!" and then "content". I realized that truly I felt content. There are things in my life that I might like to change. I may have been happier if somebody had delivered a delicious meal to my home so that I wouldn't have to cook but still I was content. I remember days when nobody was home and I longed to have my sons and husband together for a hot meal.

Philippians 4:10 - 12 “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” NIV

Today and every day I must choose to be content no matter what is taking place about me. I must cherish time... every moment of it!

These thoughts seem so simple, no deeply philosophical revelation yet so often we fall into the trap of "hating time", always waiting for things to be better, to be more to our liking and we fail to experience the joys of every season of our life.

"Lord, I thank you for time! I desire and I choose to value every moment of time you give me. Help me to focus on the good and to look for the little pleasures, the joys of every season of my life."