Really Only One

t's a quiet Sunday morning. Pat has gone to join Jonathan's family at church and I'm alone with coffee and my thoughts. Pat is about to undergo a second surgery on his back, and I feel anxiety creeping in today. There are preparations to make, physical ones but also mental and emotional ones. Because we live in an upstairs apartment, it's necessary for us to stay with Anna and her family for a week or so after surgery. Their generosity is humbling. We did this after his first surgery and our time together was sweet. There is no place like home though, even if it's a tiny upstairs apartment.

In the quiet, I ask myself if I'm simply anxious or if I'm having a "pity party". For some reason, the story of Mary and Martha drops into my thinking. I've come to realize this is usually the Holy Spirit leading me somewhere, so I find the story in Luke 10. I'm sure it's quite familiar to all of us. Martha scurries about with preparations and Mary sits with Jesus.

With preparations to make, scurrying  is certainly a "go to" for me. And yet, I sit long enough to read that "really only one" thing is necessary. Mary got still to listen and to be with Jesus. And He told Martha, "Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." My busyness will give me short-lived satisfaction. My sitting and surrendering will give what can't be taken away. And today what I need most is to surrender and sit in the quiet of this morning and receive the really only one thing, Jesus.

P.S. At the time of this posting, Pat has had surgery and is doing well.