You know my struggle to feel settled with a schedule that does not primarily contain deeds that are “measurable and observable” to myself and others. You continue to reveal that I am hostage to societal means of self worth, which surprises me because I thought we had worked through that issue. Deeper roots, apparently.

I think about the strength and love it took for Mary to sit at Your Feet (Luke 10:38-42). Her role and value as a woman and hostess involved preparing and caring for the guests. Instead, she chose to listen at Your Feet. She chose to ignore the taunts of her sister. She chose to ignore the importance of fulfilling her role. She chose to put everything aside, except You. She did not budge from Your Sweet Presence no matter the pressure put on her to do so.

And I wonder, did Mary’s wise choice here lead her to the sacred privilege of preparing Your Precious Body for burial? Did her desire to fully listen to You, enable her to truly hear when You spoke of Your impending death? Did her choice then to ignore the pressure to act differently contribute to her being able to now tenderly pour costly perfume over You in spite of how it might look to others?  Mary was not distracted from her purpose even as she heard the harsh criticism regarding her choice. Was she able to not heed the cutting words being thrown at her (Foolish! That should have been used in a sensible way!…) because she had previously chosen to remain focused when others tried to pull her away?

How often do I not budge from Your Presence even when being barked at by the needs and demands around me? How often do I forgo roles that are expected, valued, appreciated and esteemed by others to just sit at Your Pierced Feet and truly listen to hear Your Heart? Please enable me to choose wisely.