Don't worry so much!
Children's Activity
Object:
Is your house a worry-free zone? Mine isn't. It seems like someone is worrying about something most of the time. If we were to stop and think about how much time we spend worrying, I think we would be amazed. In Matthew 6:27 Jesus asks, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" In other words, do we really accomplish anything by worrying?
The story of Mary and Martha is a good one for all of us. Jesus comes to visit in their home. Mary, recognizing the value of having Jesus with them, chooses to sit at his feet and listen to him. Martha, also recognizing the significance of Jesus' presence, spends all her time busily getting things ready. After a while, Martha begins to get frustrated. How come she's the only one doing all the work? There's so much to be done, and Mary is out there relaxing! Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus replies that Mary is doing the most important thing she can do at that moment. He says that he isn't going to take that away from her.
My sister reminded me that we all have "Mary moments" and "Martha moments." It's not that Mary is better than Martha, because each woman was doing something important. The key is to know how to distinguish between the important things and the less important things in any given moment. There is a time for getting your work done. There's also a time to appreciate the moment just as it is, without the burden of worry overshadowing it.
Ask your children to help make your house a worry-free zone. Find or make some things to help your family remember to relax and trust God more. Make some signs. Color pictures. Ask each other every now and then how you're doing with your worrying. If we begin to recognize the things that trouble us, we can begin to find ways of letting them go. God doesn't want you to waste your time on the things that really don't matter anyway.
The story of Mary and Martha is a good one for all of us. Jesus comes to visit in their home. Mary, recognizing the value of having Jesus with them, chooses to sit at his feet and listen to him. Martha, also recognizing the significance of Jesus' presence, spends all her time busily getting things ready. After a while, Martha begins to get frustrated. How come she's the only one doing all the work? There's so much to be done, and Mary is out there relaxing! Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus replies that Mary is doing the most important thing she can do at that moment. He says that he isn't going to take that away from her.
My sister reminded me that we all have "Mary moments" and "Martha moments." It's not that Mary is better than Martha, because each woman was doing something important. The key is to know how to distinguish between the important things and the less important things in any given moment. There is a time for getting your work done. There's also a time to appreciate the moment just as it is, without the burden of worry overshadowing it.
Ask your children to help make your house a worry-free zone. Find or make some things to help your family remember to relax and trust God more. Make some signs. Color pictures. Ask each other every now and then how you're doing with your worrying. If we begin to recognize the things that trouble us, we can begin to find ways of letting them go. God doesn't want you to waste your time on the things that really don't matter anyway.
