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MeditationRead Luke 10:38-42 Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. --Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) When I was 11 years old, I visited Clayt in his home. "Clayt has trouble in arithmetic," his mother said, "but his dad's been helping him. He did better on his last test. I baked him a chocolate pie to celebrate." I was stunned. The idea of being praised for ordinary achievements was foreign to me. My parents taught me the importance of work and of seeing each person as valuable, but some of the Christians in my church responded to emotional needs with softer hearts and gentler words than I found at home. I also noted that in the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus praised Mary, who wasn't being productive. She needed spiritual nurture and knew that Jesus had it to give. She dared to rebel against custom, not working to fill the house with the smell of baking bread or to help her sister. I've lived 70 years; and I've been like Martha at times, finding fault with people who aren't obviously productive. I also remember the sting of being criticized for reading or golfing instead of working in the garden or cleaning my room. I pray for help to be more Christlike in my approach to those whose values and way of living are different from mine. PRAYER Dear Lord, help us nurture our needs to work and find spiritual meaning--and to allow others to do the same. Amen. Thought for the Day God loves me even when I do nothing at all. Eugene Bales (Missouri) Date: 11/12/2012
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