The need for the Needful.

It occurred to me the other day as I played with my 4 little ones on the living room floor, that although I had so many other matters to attend to at that moment, THIS was the most beneficial activity I could be engaged in. Although there was a kitchen to be cleaned, laundry to be put away, an email to respond to, and a friend to text back, being here, in this moment with my boys was what was "needful". I wanted to get all my responsibilities accomplished, but I was most NEEDED here; playing, laughing, teaching, spending uninterrupted time with the people God had placed in my life to influence most.
As we played, I began to feel pretty good about myself, when suddenly my two older ones began to argue over a silly matter, my two year old yelled "mommy poopoo!", indicating that he had to rush to the potty, and the baby bumped himself with a toy and began to cry, just like that, all at once! The moment of peace and laughter became a moment of rushed stress, and I sighed in frustration. "Why can't I have just 5 minutes of peace? I thought, "Why do these boys need me so much?" I am so needed!" When will this "neediness" end?" I was about to allow myself an overdue pity party, when the quiet, yet strong voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said:
"The more they need you, the more you need Me." 

In that moment I was reminded of the wonderful story of Mary and Martha in the book of Luke. How Martha was getting needed things done, but Mary was doing what was needful. Martha was needed, too and she didn't have peace. She was upset. She was impatient with her sister, much like I was growing impatient in my tasks as a busy mommy of four. Mary, on the other hand, understood that only "few things are needed-or indeed only one". She understood that although there were many "needs" to take care of, being with Jesus was the only "needful" matter to attend to. She placed Christ above all other tasks, or duties. This frustrated Martha.  Why? Because Mary was teaching Martha a lesson without saying a single word. She was simply choosing to be with Jesus. Martha was trying to be the "hero", the "doer" the "responsible" one. Mary, on the other hand, was being with Jesus. Nothing else. She was doing the one thing that was needed above all others. She was honoring the true hero, by sitting as His feet. She was listening to the one who gave her the ability to get anything in life "done". She was spending time with the one responsible for her true peace and joy! 
She was doing the needful thing, and in turn, Christ was fulfilling ALL of her needs. As only HE can do.

Did I have time to stop and ponder on this thought as I refereed an argument, wiped a bottom, and consoled a crying baby? Nope! I had to do my job first. But later that day, when dinner time was over, lamps turned on for the evening, stories read, and bed time prayers prayed, God gently reminded me to do the needful thing. And I did. And I'm not talking about a daily devotional time, or a quick prayer. Someone has once said that Love is spelled T-I-M-E. I truly believe that the more time we spend with God and His word, the more we prove our true love for Him. It is not easy, but it is needful. "The more they need you, the more YOU need Me."... I wrote this thought down, and thanked God for this lesson that I wouldn't have learned if it weren't for these four sweet and "needy" little boys He had given me. And speaking of boys, the 9 month old just woke up from his nap, and needs me. ;)