Wanted to share my introduction for a Sunday school lesson I’m teaching tomorrow in our Pastor’s wife’s Ladies class. I was really impressed by a recent book by Joanna Weaver and wanted to share a little. I definitely got the distraction thing down well, as you’ll see in the following paragraphs:
Luke 10:38-42. Oh yeah…. I’m going there. The old Mary and Martha story. However, I’d like to take a more understanding view of Martha here. Can I hear a shout out for those who can relate? I’ve been reading a book that was suggested to me a long time ago from a family member who loved it. I started it one day and laid it down only to pick it back up the other day and love, love, love it. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. Honestly, I haven’t even finished the entire book yet, but was intrigued by one of the beginning chapter subjects so much that I wanted to delve into it a little further. You’ll definitely understand why after I share with you what the latter part of my week has been like. Buckle your seat belts because I’m admittedly a bit of a frenetic personality.
I decided this week to start weaning myself off of sugar. I’m scared of diabetes and am halted at any weight loss even though I eat healthy most of the time. If anyone has ever done this it’s a bit of an overload at first. I don’t know what it’s like to come down off of a drug, but boy howdy Thursday was a doozy for me. I was thankful for the nice weather, because at least the kids could play outside while I was rendered somewhat useless and sluggish. By late afternoon, not a whole lot got done. Friday I did a little better, but was still feeling a draggin wagon. I was having trouble coming up with a lesson, let alone being able to sit and concentrate on one. I was even questioning why I said yes to to our pastor’s wife to teach her Sunday school class. That evening 2nd Man and I decided to go to bed early so we could get up early Saturday to prepare for our lessons and his preaching (Pastor and his wife are out of town this weekend). I expected sleep to come swiftly the way I felt most of the day, but it was one of those nights. I didn’t think I’d ever get to sleep due to the dishwasher seeming unusually loud and the banging of our open shed door outside. Finally, I did fall asleep and 2nd Man slept walked…twice. Let’s just say, when that happened, I didn’t exactly get back to sleep well with the adrenaline rush and all. I confess, the second time, I was frustrated and went out to the sofa, scared of being awakened again. Well, that didn’t exactly work well either. Of all nights, one of the dogs was sick. I awakened to that wonderful convulsing dog sound only to discover he’d been sick all over the house! By this time it was 4:00 a.m. and I figured I’d just stay awake and get working on this lesson. I’d had somewhat of an idea all week, but never had the time to develop it. Well, thank the Lord for sick dogs and sleep walking husbands, because I was able to actually start reading this book instead and was laughing at myself within minutes along with seeking forgiveness. I knew I’d been had by God. Ever have one of those times, where he leads you to something only to find it’s a mirror?
In her book, Weaver talks about Satan’s 3deadly Ds of destruction that can render a Christian useless for God. That is his aim after all. He knows that we belong to God and that can’t change. He can’t have us. However, if he can make it so we have no impact on the world around us for God, then that works just as well in his book. So here are the 3 Ds :
- Distraction
- Discouragement
- Doubt
Weaver says, “Throughout time Satan has resorted to these tactics to bring down God’s best and brightest. The underlying strategy is fairly simple: Get peoples eyes off God and on their circumstances. Make them believe that their ‘happiness’ lies in the ‘happenings’ that surround them. Or send them good news – about somebody else. When they’re thoroughly discouraged, tell them God doesn’t care. Then sit back and let doubt do its work.
It’s really a brilliant strategy, when you think of it. Plant the deadly Ds deep in human hearts, and sooner or later people will destroy themselves.”
I’m praying that I can develop these points well for the ladies. It’s always nerve wracking to teach this class full of ladies from college to 90 when I’m used to dealing with teen girls. The array of facial expressions leaves one no choice but to solely lean into the leading of the Holy Spirit for any confidence and assurance. I really wouldn’t want it any other way.
2ndmanswife 