Mary Minute

-
As I start to write, I am well aware that it has been too long since my last post. "Well, there has been a lot going on," I tell myself. And it is true! There is the daily routine of childcare and housework and dog walking and errands and on and on. Plus deadlines for projects that dominate or the unfortunate situations (having a sick child was mine this week) that drain time and energy exponentially. It seems that life can get so full that it is a struggle to find time for some of the most important things.... like writing blogs, reading my Bible, and being still before God. And that's what the "Mary Minute" is all about.

A couple of weeks ago, Jess and I were talking about the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42. Not surprising, the affirmation that Mary received for sitting at Jesus' feet - in a posture of submissive learning - instead of rushing around dealing with the many details of meal preparation challenged us. Is it possible to live like that? Well, we decided to try - in a very small way - and the idea of the "Mary Minute" was born. The Mary Minute is one minute a day spent just being with Jesus - attending to Him, listening to Him. I hope you will try it too! If you are having trouble finding time to read your Bible everyday, that could be your Mary Minute. The Bible is the primary way that the Lord speaks to us. Another way to spend your Mary Minute is to simply ask Jesus if there is anything He would like to say to you and then be still, attentive in your soul to the Spirit's promptings through images, words, or Bible references that may emerge.

Remember: it is only ONE MINUTE! If you choose to continue on in prayer, journalling, reading, etc after that one minute, it's your choice. All I'm asking you to consider is to try a Mary Minute once/day this week.



Comments

  1. ElviraNovember 3, 2009 at 7:06 AM

    Hi Tracy and all...
    How true and timely is your Mary Minute Message. I am ready to continue to put this action plan at the top of my priorities. I spent many Mary minutes at a retreat retreat I attended. It was good to be away from the daily routine and allow the clutter that had built up in my mind to leave.
    Resting, trusting at the feet of Jesus does build us up and brings rest to our souls.

    Elvira

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Third Week of Advent: Winter Joy

-
“How am I ever going to do that?” I asked myself in the fall when we started our 6 am Winnipeg Free Press paper route. I was thinking about the future – the dark, cold, windy winter mornings ahead – and wondering how I would be able to handle the paper route then. Since I am a person who loves warmth, sleep, and daylight, I just couldn't imagine it. So this last Saturday morning when the thermometer read -30ยบ C and I was joyfully trudging along on the route, I remembered that question and asked myself another one, “How am I doing this?” Three things came to mind: By God's grace : When I go to bed at night I usual think I won't be eager to get up in the morning but when I'm awaken by my alarm, I get out of bed quite easily for me. It never ceases to surprise me since I was not a morning person. How do I explain this? It is a gracious gift of God. Nothing I deserve. It is a specific, practical way that God is blessing me in this season of my life. By God'...
Read more

Christmas Eve Sermon

-
Merry Christmas Everyone! As I was preparing for my Christmas Eve Children's Sermon for this year, I found the one from last year.  I really enjoyed thinking about the importance of shepherds in God's revelation of Himself to us so I thought I would post the sermon.  Remember: it is a children's sermon!   Here we are: it is Christmas Eve... the time we celebrate the greatest gift from God – Jesus our Saviour!  Now on such a special evening we could talk about so many interesting and wonderful things: We could talk about Mary: and how this young woman became the mother of God’s Son We could talk about Joseph: who took a very pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to be counted with his family We could talk about the angel: who appeared in the night sky proclaiming “good news of great joy for all people.” But... they are not going to be our focus today – as important as they are all. This Christmas Eve, I want to talk about some very ordinary people. Men who were just livin...
Read more

The Time In-Between

-
We are living in the time in-between.  When I think of that with regards to Christian theology, it is the time in between the first coming of Christ (the Incarnation) and the second coming of Christ (the Parousia).  Today, however, I am thinking of the time in-between when covid-19 drove us into our homes and when we will be free to socialize and work normally again.  The time in-between in both cases is a time of uncertainty.  Of waiting.  Of trusting.  Of hoping.  Of praying. These are very unique and challenging times.  I think that is what motivated me to blog today.  Thinking of all of you living your lives under the stress and strain of the corona virus pandemic and wanting to reach out to let you know you are not alone.  Truly not alone - God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17 comes to mind: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he w...
Read more