The Season of -ING

by | Dec 17, 2021 | Christmas, Devotional | 8 comments

red_christmas_house.jpg

It’s the season of –ING.

ShoppING

CookING

BakING

PlannING

WrappING

InvitING

OrderING

CleanING

TravelING

DonatING

HostING

SocializING

Whew! An exhausting list of verbs.

I once heard someone say, “This year, I’m not going to let things that mean nothING keep me from experiencING the one thING that means everythING.”

Me too! I don’t want to let shopping, cooking, wrapping, traveling, and socializing distract me to the point that I miss out on experiencing the “one thing needful.” Martha learned this lesson in Luke 10.

Martha would’ve been great at Christmas. She probably prepared Pinterest-perfect table settings with fragrant breads and drool-worthy desserts. Decorations just so. The entire house spic and span. There is merit in this, for sure, but Jesus puts it quickly in perspective when the pressure of planning a just-so gathering becomes too much for Martha. 

“One thing is needful,” Jesus said in Luke 10:42. And I believe He still says it over and over to us, especially at this time of year. 

He whispers, “It’s fine that you carefully select gifts for your family and friends, but have you carefully read My word today?”

“You took a lot of time to design this year’s greeting card, but have you taken time to really pray to Me lately?”

Decking the halls and baking up a storm are all well and good at Christmastime. They’re wonderful! But they aren’t needful (not truly). 

This year, I don’t want to forfeit the one thing I do need so that I can have time to do a bunch of things that don’t really matter in the end. 

I want my season of –ING to be about

Worshipping

Remembering

Thanking

Studying

Praying

Learning

Listening

Forgiving

And most of all…

Loving

What –ING is most needful for you this time of year?

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.

Author

  • Sister Michelle Watson lives in the remote White Mountains of Arizona with husband, Brother Michael, and two miracle-born boys.

    View all posts Full-time mother, part-time freelance writer/editor Reading an entire book in one day, pretty hikes, sushi, libraries, dad jokes, and long periods of silence 1 John 1:9

8 Comments

  1. Florence Perri

    I enjoyed your blog-ing today. I will add another word – Car-ing! May you all have great
    bless-ings in the New Year of 2022

    Reply
    • Christina DiCenzo

      I need to add more time to all of those above. However, this year have been thankING & appreciatING more as I do the work of the season. This has my heart more rejoicING, singING, & praisING; which is a blessING as you are dear Sister in your writING! LOL.
      Merry CHRISTmas to U & yours!🎁

      Reply
    • Brother Gary Thompson

      Great article. WitnessING HIS goodness to others by LovING, CarING and TellING.

      Reply
    • Doreen Dino

      Thank you. Your Blog was inspirING!

      Reply
  2. BroKen

    Loved this. (Thought for sure I was going to see the kING) at the end, so let me add it. lol)

    Reply
  3. Michelle Watson

    You are all so creative!!! Brother Ken, yes! What’s one -ING that surpasses all others? The KING!

    Reply
    • John Namavarapu

      Dear sister Michelle Watson in Christ Love,

      Greetings to you and your family in the Loving name of Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ,

      I request you in the name of Jesus Christ to please remember me and my Co-Pastors and for Orphan Children in all your prayers, we are praying for you and your family and for your Great work,
      Thanking you sister,
      Pastor. N.John,
      India,

      Reply

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