Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Just as being too busy gives you nightmares…"
Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLT

Christmas slippers

While we are called to work hard, we must
make sure that our work doesn't so preoccupy
us that we endanger our health, our relationships,
or our time with God.1

A woman died, leaving behind her husband and
one daughter. The little girl soon became the very
apple of her daddy's eye. He loved to spend time
with her, but because he had to work, they had
only their evenings together. After dinner each
night they would talk and play games; sometimes
she sang for him. He treasured every moment.

One night the little girl announced, "Daddy, I
need to go to my room early tonight. I have
something I have to do!"

He felt very disappointed, but he let her go. She
continued this pattern for a solid month. Finally,
Christmas Day arrived, and early in the morning
she burst in on her daddy and proudly displayed
a pair of crude crocheted slippers she had made
for him. It was this project that had taken her away
from her father for every evening that month.

Her father thanked her warmly and gave her a big
hug, but then he said, "Honey, I would rather have
had you with me all those lonely evenings than to
have these slippers, as beautiful and comfortable
as they are."

[As in the story of Martha and Mary], God wants
our presence more than our slippers. He wants our
devotion more than our work. It really is a matter of
balance.2

(Gods Daily Promises)