unCommon Ground

“…you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10: 41-42).

Cleaning

I stormed around my messy house

and tried to make some sense

Of all the chaos in the rooms—

the task seemed so immense.

I just had one small window

in my hectic, busy day,

When I could tidy up and hope

that it would stay that way.

I’d told my kids a million times

to put things in their place,

But now the mess was back again

to stare me in the face,

If only they would spend

a few small minutes every day,

And look to see what they could just

pick up and put away,

Our lives would be much better

and one difference they would see,

Is if the house was clean

they wouldn’t have to deal with me.

I cleaned up all the things I’d cleaned

ten zillion times before,

And said with venom as I threw

their stuff behind their door,

“You say you don’t have time,

with all the work you have to do,

I say you’d make the time

if it’s important enough to you!

If only you would just clean up

I’d have some time for me,

And you would be much happier

‘cause Mama is, you see.”

Just then I spied my Bible

lying on a dusty shelf,

And in that tiny instant

felt more sorry for myself.

I really missed my quiet times,

when curled up in my chair,

I’d visit with my Jesus

just like He was sitting there.

And now a month had flown right by

so crammed with work and play,

I hadn’t had the time to sit—

much less to read and pray.

I hadn’t had the time to STOP

and wait for Him to speak,

I didn’t have it now—

and probably wouldn’t till next week.

I slammed the door and left to clean,

and fuss and fret and fume,

When suddenly I heard the Lord

from back there by that room,

“You say don’t have time

with all the work you have to do,

I say you’d make the time

if it’s important enough to you.”

I stood there stricken as my tears

welled up and wet my face,

I ran, repentant, to His arms,

His welcoming embrace,

And now I spend some time with Him—

some minutes every day,

I’ve way too much to do

to have it any other way.

My life is so much better

and one difference that I see,

Is— I am so much happier

since I have dealt with me!