At the feet of Jesus

Here are some happenings in the Women's Ministry at Life Stream.  There are quite a few bible studies happening during the week.  A recent study has started on Friday mornings in the community room.  On February 11 we would like to go cross country skiing/snowshoeing as a Women of Adventure event.  We will go to Pigeon Creek, 1:00 -3:30 if we have enough snow.  Also, we would like to go have a great evening of laughter by watching Anita Renfroe on March 2 at Central Weselyan in Holland.  Tickets are $15 and sign up or tell Lori before Feb. 5.

Our next Chapters book is Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages". This is a great book for any relationship and just dealing with people.  Books are $7 and can be found at the Women's Ministry table or just get a book or ebook and meet us on Tuesday, February 28 in our new cafe at Life Stream.

Now for my quick thought.  Luke 10:38 -42;  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked "Lord, don't you care that my siter has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."

I have two cats and one very old dog.  I work from my home so I am home quite a bit.  My animals follow me everywhere and always want to be near my feet.  My dog Casper is a miniature Sheltie and is 15 years old.  He cannot see, hear, has trouble walking and has a bad "smokers" cough ( he is allergic to grass and our two cats..yes...I said cats)  Casper is near my feet all day long and it drives me insane.  I trip over him, step on him and roll over him when I am on my rolling chair giving music lessons.  Yet, he still stays by my feet.

I sit down and my cat Callie, our calico cat, jumps on my lap or sits on my feet.  I walk up the stairs and she runs to the stairs and lays down on the last step for me to jump over her.  I go to bed at night and my other cat Zappa paws at my feet as I lay down and sleeps on my feet.  I roll over and she readjusts to be near my feet.  If I get up in the middle of the night I have to take Zappa off my feet, watch for Casper as I get out of bed because, there he is, at the foot of the bed ready for me to step on him.  Then as I walk to the bathroom, I have to watch for Callie somewhere on the floor so I don't step on her.

What is it with my animals and wanting to be near my feet all the time?! I have a couple of theories.  One is that they are all plotting together and are trying to kill me thinking that sooner or later I will trip over one of them, be knocked unconscious and then they can eat me while the children are at school and my husband is at work.  (I really do have those nightmares)

My other theory is that to them, I am their master and caretaker.  Casper cannot see or hear me but he knows where I am and wants to be by me.  Being by my feet comforts him and makes him feel safe.  I am not a cat person so I think that the cats really are trying to kill me but if I didn't think that I would say they want to be by my side just to be near me.  They want that contact where I pet them and they can feel safe and warm curled up in my lap or curled up by my feet.

This got me thinking.  We become people like Martha running around and going nuts trying to fit "life" in and do things for everybody and get frustrated at others who are "not helping".  Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his every word.  Jesus tells Martha that what Mary is doing is right. (you have to think that his statement must have annoyed Martha to no end!)  I was going to write this thought down early this morning but then I forgot I needed to prepare for a lesson, then I taught lessons, then I had to do a load of laundry, then.....you get the point.  I found a lot of things that I thought needed to be done before I cracked opened my bible and read God's word...to sit at His feet. 

At His feet we find comfort and safety.  Even if we can't see Him we know He is there and will take care of us but we need to find time to be at His feet.  At His feet, we can take our worries and concerns to Him and curl up at His feet and find hope and courage and strength.  Jesus doesn't get bothered like I get with my animals.  He wants us at His feet, He encourages that!  We just need to stop what we are doing sometimes and lay at His feet.