Theme:   Everyone - Where Everyone is Wanted and Everyone is Needed

Read: Luke 10:38-42; John 11:17-27

Think: Another Sunday morning, time to put on my happy face and dress smart, arriving at church the perfect happy family. Let’s pretend there is no tension in the car on the way and everyone is thrilled to be out of bed! After all everyone else is doing fine and happy and have wonderful family lives…. Don’t they? Of course some days it’s easier than others and the “Sunday face” is how things are but not every week.

I think to some degree we are all like this but for two years I carefully kept quiet about a struggle I had when I was at church. Only when a beloved pet died and I was unable to get through worship without crying did my mask slip and I began to be real with people around me. I was encouraged to join a group at church, which I have to say I was reluctant to do. But through that I was able to become more real with those around me and begin to grow through the struggle with the support of those who cared. I found that this group became not a burden or a place for me to hide but a blessing and way for me to grow.

In our readings today we see Jesus’ follower and friend, Martha, struggle with keeping her mask in place; while she tried to be the perfect hostess and meet everyone’s needs she found a struggle growing inside her. Only when she turned to Jesus and confessed her struggle was she able to move on and grow. I am so encouraged by the second reading where we see the same Martha waiting for Jesus, full of faith in His abilities even after her brother’s death. Her words to Jesus:  “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Sometimes it seems we all need to ‘get real’ to grow into our possibilities and out of our struggles.

Do: Today take some time to think about how you are doing in allowing the people in your life to be real with you… Do you provide a safe place for them to open up? What can you change to help others be more comfortable about being their “real” self with you? Also plan now to find the time for a small group this fall. Give yourself room to be authentic and real with those in the group while you accept them as they are.

Pray: God show me if there is any place in my life where I make it difficult for others to be authentic and real with me. I want to be full of faith and trust You as I share myself with the people you put in my path, and be the kind of person who shows your love and grace to all I encounter. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.