Monica loaded the last of the bags into her car, shut the door, and slumped against it. Thank heavens the rummage sale was over. Only six bags of miscellaneous “treasures” remained to donate. What a whirlwind. Every spare minute of the past two weeks went to sorting, organizing, and pricing donations. Not to mention the hours of baking and packaging treats for the bake table. After spending the past eight hours setting up, supervising, and cleaning up the sale, Monica was more than exhausted.

She drove the leftovers to Goodwill, deposited the cash in the church account, and made the short drive home, only to find her mother’s car in the driveway.

 No. No. No. Not today.

All she wanted to do was grab a frozen dinner and crash on the sofa for a few minutes before she had to start work on tomorrow’s Sunday school lesson. There was no energy left to socialize, and oh, shoot… her kitchen was a disaster after all the baking. What would her mother think?

Monica dragged herself inside and plastered a welcoming smile on her face. Her mouth watered at the amazing aroma wafting through the house. Her stomach grumbled as she followed the smell into her spotless kitchen. Wait, her spotless kitchen?

“Mom?” Monica stopped and stared at her mother who was busily stirring a pot of soup on the stove.

“Hello dear. I thought you might be tired after the big sale, so I made some dinner.” She opened the oven and pulled out a loaf of crusty bread. “Are you hungry? Go wash your hands and have a seat.”

Monica glanced at the table, already set for two. Without thinking, she scrubbed her hands at the sink, and wordlessly sank into a chair as her mother spooned the thick creamy soup into bowls and sliced the bread. Was she dreaming?

Mom said a prayer of thanksgiving and picked up a spoon. Monica sat and stared at her.

“Go on, eat. We can talk later.”
            Monica obeyed, ripping a corner off the bread and dipping it into her soup. She gave an involuntary groan of pleasure. Why did food always taste better when someone else made it for you? After satisfying her hunger, she sat back in her chair and set her gaze on Mom.

“I can’t believe you’re here. You cleaned my kitchen, made dinner…” A buzz interrupted Monica. “Was that the dryer? Did you do my laundry, too?”

Mom shrugged. “The basket was full. I thought you could use a little help.”

Monica’s eyes filled with tears. “Mom, you are amazing. I don’t deserve you.”

Mom reached over the table and patted Monica’s hand. “I think you may have bitten off more than you can chew, honey.”

“The rummage sale was a lot of work, that’s all,” Monica said, putting down her spoon. “It’s over now, so I’m fine.”

Mom raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Do you have your lesson written for tomorrow’s Sunday school class? Do you have the script written for the Christmas pageant you’re putting together all by yourself?”

“Mom, why are you trying to stress me out?”

“Ministry should not be stressful, dear.”

“So now you’re trying to make me feel guilty?”

Mom took a deep breath. “I’m trying to help. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”

“You are a help, Mom, and this dinner is delicious. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me.”

“I’d like you to do something for me.”

Monica feared another time-intensive commitment was coming her way. Still, with all her mom did for her, she certainly couldn’t say no. “Sure, what is it?”

“You might want to write this down.”

Curious, Monica crossed the room and grabbed a paper and a pen. “Ok, I’m ready.”

“I’d like you to consider teaching on Luke 10:38-42 when you prepare for your lesson tomorrow. I think it might help give you some perspective.”

Monica couldn’t think offhand what that passage of scripture was, but she jotted down the reference. “I’ll check it out.”

“And I want you to promise me something.”

“Okay…”

“I want you to memorize the following verse, and the next time you’re tempted to single-handedly run a rummage sale in the midst of your over-committed life, recite it to yourself.”

“Mom, I told you, I’ve got it under control.”

“You promised. Write it down. Matthew 11: 28-30.”

Monica sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

“Now come on, you’d better get that laundry out of the dryer before it gets all wrinkled. I’ll clean the dishes and then get out of your hair.”

Half an hour later, Monica sat on the sofa with her legs propped on the coffee table and her bible in her lap. Her mind turned over the conversation with her mother. She already knew she was in over her head with all her volunteering for the church, but it was a good thing, right? Surely God wanted her to do good works.

She turned to the Luke passage.

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 sister 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 few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Monica couldn’t remember the last time she sat quietly and read from the Bible to be fed by God. Her Sunday School kids weren’t as busy as she was, but you could never be too young to be taught the truths of God’s word. She read the passage through again and soon had a detailed outline explaining to the children the difference between doing things for God and being in a relationship with him.

Grateful to her mother not only for her tangible help but also for the spiritual help, Monica climbed into bed and was about to turn out the light when she remembered her promise to her mother. She got up, brought her Bible to the bed with her, and opened up this time to Matthew.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Monica read the verses over and over until she had committed them to memory. With a peace in her heart she hadn’t felt for a long time, she gave her busy schedule to God and determined to live within the plan God set for her and soak up some of His rest.

Dear Lord, please help us find Your rest. In this hectic world we have a tendency to fill our hours with busyness. Please help us seek what is truly meaningful–a relationship with You. Please help us order our lives so our relationship with You is first, and all else will fall into place. In Jesus’ name, amen.