Ever Had a Martha Moment?

If the title peaked your interest, you're probably wondering, 'What's a Martha moment?'

Let me illustrate by telling you about a recent experience I had.

Earlier today, my husband was trying to share some fresh revelation he'd received while in the shower. (That's the place where I get most of my spiritual insights too!). As he was telling me about it in great detail and with much enthusiasm, I, on the other hand, was listening, but was becoming more and more anxious about the risk of this conversation growing to lengthy and making he and the kids late getting off to work and school.

The first time I interrupted him, he took it in stride and kept talking. But the second time, I actually moved in front of the bathroom door and issued another one of my "subtle" warnings to keep it moving so they wouldn't get a late start. Needless to say this second interruption brought our conversation to a screeching halt. One look at the irritation on his face, and I knew I had obviously plucked a nerve. One that ultimately caused him to resign to put a plug on the flow of the Spirit. It took a moment, but then it clicked. I had just had a Martha moment. Just like Martha, one of the sisters of Lazarus, did in Luke 10:38-42.

You know the story. She was so caught up in getting her house guests fed (which was important) that she totally missed the magnificent moment that was happening right before her eyes. Her sister, Mary, didn't let it slip past her though. She was engaged in the MOST important thing - sitting and learning at the Master's feet while she had the chance.

Unfortunately, I've had more of these Martha moments than I'd care to admit. It makes me wonder how many times I've been guilty of not seeing the mighty for being distracted by the minute. Needless to say, after today's experience, I can't wait for part two of what my hubby had to share. He will certainly have my undivided attention this time.

Thank God for more than second chances!

The Wonder in Your Weakness

You never know when inspiration is going to hit, but when it does, it compels you to spread the joy.

I just had a moment like that earlier today. I was perusing a new book that I'd recently received entitled, Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front. One of the co-authors of the book, Karen Whiting is set to be interviewed next week on the radio show that I produce, and I was fishing for some good points of interest to scatter throughout the conversation.

It wasn't long before I came across an account by a military wife, whose story is shared in a section called Embracing Weakness. Now since I'm such a cheerleader for conquering and overcoming, this naturally caught my eye. In just a few short paragraphs she totally changed my perspective about the role weakness plays in our lives.

As she recalls the time she came down with a nasty case of bronchitis right after her husband was deployed to Iraq, she shares how frustrated she was about having to depend on others to help her take care of her children and her household. She felt, like so many of us do, that she was too strong to be allowing this to get her down. After all, it was only bronchitis, right? Here's what she said about finding her answer in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

"God's power being made perfect in me, yes, I was all over that. But being weak? Everything in my body cried out against that. I wanted to conquer the challenges of deployment, not admit that I was weak."

Pow! Right in the kisser of my own superwoman syndrome. Did you feel that?

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

That should be a comforting statement. But not for those of us who refuse to let anything get us down. We feel compelled to keep moving forward as if we have hearts and brains made of impenetrable steel. We don't want to let anything reduce us to showing how helpless, lost, or afraid we really are. Oh no. Never!

Weakness is not something we modern women are encouraged to embrace. We're supposed to be singing "I'm Every Woman, It's All in Me!" as we shop for groceries, take the car for an oil change, make cupcakes for the PTO bake sale, balance the checkbook, workout for an hour at the gym, and prepare a stellar presentation for that important meeting next week. Whew! I'm pooped just thinking about it!

In reality, God has been telling us all along that He not only has no problem with us not being on top of things all the time, He actually EXPECTS it. As the military wife went on to learn, this is when His power becomes most prominent in our lives. How else would we really be able to acknowledge Him as the higher power if we didn't have opportunities to personally bear witness to His ability to do what we cannot do for ourselves. Not to mention, as we do this, miraculously the pressure of taming every aspect of our lives eases up, and we get to enjoy the benefits of His love and grace in countless, unimaginable ways.

Who would ever think that you could find wonder in weakness? Before today I would have winced at the idea. But now, I have to admit, I'm changing my tune.

Mothers, Daughters, and the Rocky Road to Womanhood

This has been quite a day!

This morning I interviewed Robin Marsh, co-anchor on Oklahoma City's KWTV-News9, and co-author of the new book, God, Girls, and Getting Connected: Spiritual Apps for a Teen's Life. It was quite a show. When you get a chance, take a listen.

Not too long after that, I got a call from a friend who wanted to discuss a "dating" issue regarding her pre-teen daughter. Oh - and yesterday, I had a lengthy conversation with another friend of mine about girls and how their image of self is becoming more and more at risk.

See a pattern here?

Well, I certainly do, and it's causing my already bubbling passion for the welfare of women and girls to go up another notch. I know quite a few moms out there who have girls in or entering their teen years, and the face of their relationships with one another is changing in ways that they sometimes don't particularly like.

Some of us are very squeamish about talking to our daughters about sex, body image, dating, and relationships. But then there are some (like me) who actually relish the opportunity to have a "real talk" session with their daughters about these subjects. The daughters, on the other hand, tend to run the gamut of a different scale: "I don't dare tell my mom about the boy I'm interested in!" to "Geesh, Mom! TMI!" to "Mom, I think it's cool how you let me express myself when we have our little talks."

Hey, I get it. No matter what your personal style of mothering is, it's not easy guiding your daughter toward womanhood. You constantly wonder, "Am I doing the right thing?" "Am I being too easy/too hard on her?" "Is she really being totally honest with me?" I'm sure our mothers had some of these same concerns.

But one thing I believe about this unique connection between mothers and daughters is this:  Unconditional love has to be the foundation of the relationship. If we keep an open mind and open heart toward God and our daughters, we're sure to make it through all the fabulous phases of womanhood just fine.

Now. Can anybody out there mentor me through menopause???

Just sayin'...