Are you a Mary or a Martha??

I have been going non-stop the past several months!

We moved into a different home, so there has been a lot to do!

Packing and unpacking…

Cleaning…

Painting…

Yardwork…

These are just a few of the jobs that I have been doing the past several months…the list is endless…

And if you know me well, you know I love checking items off my to-do lists!

Though I have felt a sense of accomplishment as I have completed numerous tasks, I have also felt this ache in my heart!

Why?

Because I have made crossing off the items on those never-ending to-do lists a priority in my life!

If there is work to be done…I will do it!  And I will do it until it gets done!

So, for the past several months…I have been getting up early…going to work…coming home and working until late at night…before collapsing into bed and starting the same routine all over the next day!

Yes, I have spent time with family…and done fun things during that time…but when I am at home (unless family is over)…I am busy working on projects!

Unfortunately, spending so much time on the projects that need to be done has left me spending less time with my Heavenly Father…and that is why I have felt the ache in my heart!

I am missing Him…and I know HE is missing me!

I thought about this while I was mowing the other day!  (You have a lot of time to think…pondered…and pray while mowing 4 acres)!

And I thought…I want to be more like Mary than Martha!  But right now…I am definitely exhibiting characteristics of Martha!

Scripture tells us…^“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.   Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”…Luke 10:38-42.

In Martha’s defense…her guest of honor was Jesus…and I’m sure she wanted to make sure things were perfect for him and his guests!

Don’t we all like to plan the perfect dinner party…making sure our guests feel special and welcomed in our home!

I’m sure she felt a little anxious as she tried to provide for all of her guests’ needs! 

And then to see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus…not even offering to help with preparations…probably almost put her over the edge!

And though Martha was busy with the preparations…maybe Martha wanted to sit and listen to Jesus too, but she was trying to be a good hostess!

However, when Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to come help her, she realized that Jesus wasn’t concerned about all of the preparations…he was more concerned about his relationship with Martha, and gently told her that Mary had chosen what was more important!

It’s so easy for us (or at least me) to get caught up in making sure things get done…look perfect…that I can easily miss opportunities to spend time with my Lord!

And if I am completely honest…I long to sit at His feet…to hear His teachings…to be in His presence.

But I can get so busy that I fail to hear the Lord. 

I know it is better to hear the Lord first…to have a right relationship with Him…knowing that when my relationship with Him is right… I can focus on those tasks…because I have listened and heard from my Heavenly Father! 


Dear Lord…forgive me for putting my to-do list before you!  Forgive me for not keeping your first in my life!  Help me to be more like Mary…taking time to sit at your feet each day!  Thank you for continually loving me!