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Megan Holloman ponders the need to slow down and maintain our connections with God and family during the busiest time of the year.

It happens every time, without fail. Around 5 PM on Sunday, the reality of another week begins to creep in and you can practically feel the relaxed, care-free weekend vibe begin to circle the proverbial drain. If you ask my children, Mom is always the one pulling the plug on that tub of fun.

I'd assume it's a similar scene in most households with young children and two parents working full time outside the home. The work doesn't end just because the weekend begins. Saturdays are spent hustling and trying as I may to keep holy the Sabbath, whatever did not get done on Saturday is inevitably left for Sunday.  Today, that meant several loads of laundry, grocery shopping, packing up Halloween decorations and a trip to Walmart for last-minute craft supplies for the Thanksgiving Turkey project(s) both due this week! I think I officially broke the Sabbath when I stepped foot into Walmart. 

"What am I doing wrong?" I asked my husband in an exasperated huff as I shoved a box of Halloween decor into storage for another year.  We had both just acknowledged how little quality time we actually spend together on the weekends. I was feeling particularly defeated after telling my 7-year-old daughter "maybe later" I don't know how many times, in response to her question "Will you play with me? Barbies or American Girl, you pick!" I tried explaining that although I wanted to play with her, there were other things that needed to be done first. Like the laundry. The cleaning. The turkey project. Dinner. 

"What do I need to do?" She had so innocently asked while seated across from me on her bedroom floor. And then it hit me.

Less Martha. More Mary.  

As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
 
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
 
The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 38-42)

 

mom grocery shopping with little boy

 

Martha and I would have made perfect roommates. Eldest in the family, head of the household, hospitable; we'd have a lot in common. But left to our own domesticated devices, we would have completely lost ourselves in our own anxieties and worldly worries.

Enter Mary: reflective, loving, calm.  Mary's connection to Jesus is achieved through her presence, not her pastimes. 

 

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As we prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of our Savior, what could be more important than establishing and maintaining a connection to Jesus through the hearts of our loved ones? #catholicmom

As we enter into one of the busiest seasons of the year, I hope to channel Mary in myself. I ask for God's aid in discerning need from want. As we prepare our hearts and our homes for the birth of our Savior, what could be more important than establishing and maintaining that connection to Jesus through the hearts of our loved ones? When you think about it that way, it really is quite simple. 

"What do I need to do?" she asked again. 

"I think you need to give me a hug," I whispered, just barely keeping it together. And without hesitation, my 7-year-old who outgrew my lap years ago, wiggled her way into me and did just as she was told. 

 

little girl hugging her mom


Copyright 2021 Megan Hollomon
Images: Canva Pro

About the author: Megan Hollomon lives in Virginia and is mom to two school-aged children. She works full-time as a registered nurse at a local college health center. She is passionate about serving the Lord through her work and home life. In her spare time, Megan enjoys running and spending time at her family's home on the Potomac River.