Remember.

Monday night, while hanging out under the trees, we talked about how to create small and big moments of gratitude while the world attempts to return to *normal*. We can remember what it was like a year ago when it sometimes felt like all we had were the little things to be grateful for.

But now, It seems we’re expected to again have everything “handled” - school, work, our friendships, our relationships with our family, our future, our well-being. The expectations can feel endless and overwhelming.

There’s a story in the Bible of two sisters named Mary and Martha that Jesus comes to visit one evening. That night, Martha feels overwhelmed, the way we can sometimes. She spends her evening with Jesus busy preparing dinner and worrying about getting everything just right. While she works, her sister Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening.

Martha understandably gets frustrated with her sister sitting around, seemingly content and unbothered. Jesus responds by saying, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus understands Martha. He understands the weight she’s carrying. And he reminds her to remember that her worth cannot be earned or taken away from her.

Jesus reminds us that even as the world attempts to return all of it’s expectations to us, we can sit, listen, and remember what is truly important.

Monday night we got to do just that. We listened to each other’s small and big moments of gratitude. We sat together and remembered.

What are the little things you’re grateful for today? What are the big things? What do you need to remember that cannot be taken away?