I struggle with over consumption. If there’s a good deal on something I really have a hard time not buying the thing — finding a reason that I ‘need’ it and so go ahead and get it. I want to do better but 99% of the time I fail. “I do the thing that I do not wish to do.”
I watched a 5 minute documentary this week about an 93 year old Irishman Owney McGoldrick and his life. It was highly inspirational – keeping proper perspective on what’s important in life:
“Life is a gift and I opened it every single day. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had enough and enough was sufficient.” -Owney McGoldrick
It is embarrassing how quickly I forget these lessons in contentedness and proper ordering of things. I am 100% inspired to do better with my decisions… and then I promptly fail.
I am working on it. And for now that will need to be enough, though it is insufficient.
Then today I was doing the dishes and Martha and Mary popped into my head. “There is need of only one thing.” came to mind. And I get Jesus’ intended message there that being with Him is the one thing you need, but I can’t help but also interpret in this additional way — where I do not need all the things (like actual physical object things).
Martha and Mary.
38 a As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
39 She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Luke 10: 38-42
So I aim to use “There is need of only one thing” as a bit of a mantra; calling it to mind in moments of weakness to strengthen me against temptation. (Gosh I really hope I remember to not fail…)
Lord, help me to turn to you at all times and in all things. Help me to remember that I am in need of only one thing: You! Guide my choices so that I make the best choice. I turn to you Lord. Lead me! Amen.
Give God Your Yes 