Martha or Mary?

Life stays busy around here.

After work on Monday, I had an hour before I needed to pick up Shane.

I:

• Made tea.
• Called my allergist about my serum.
• Checked the bank accounts
• Made a new online account for our mortgage (it was sold to a different company)
• Checked with Carrie to get the confirmation # (they had her phone, not mine)
• Replied to Emily about moving out
• Picked up
• Emptied the dishwasher
• Collected Shane's library books
• and cleaned up cat throw up (took 2 seconds on hardwood, but it makes the list look longer!)

I don't say this to brag, but to bring up a point: Sometimes I wonder if I've become too much of a Martha.

The New Testament tells the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus came to visit. Mary sat with him, and Martha ran around to take care of everything and everyone. When Mary didn't help her, Martha asked Jesus to tell her to help.

So far, it makes perfect sense to me. Why shouldn't Mary help? Extra hands means done quicker. It's more fun to work with someone else, too. Once they're done, Martha and Mary would both get to listen to Jesus.

Jesus goes a different route.

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Jesus didn't need or care that everything was arranged perfectly. He was more concerned with people, and Martha should have been more concerned with him than the list of things 'needed' to be done. We cannot be saved by works no matter how hard we try and whatever we accomplish - Only by grace (Ephesians 2:8).

The takeaway - Focus on what's really important. Don't get distracted by a million other things.

Yet it seems like there are always a million other things to do (see my list).

I like to work. I like to get things done. I want to be reliable. Especially for my family. Acts of service is a primary love language for me and I view it as a father/husband's job to lead by serving. It gives me the energy I need to do what I do.

Work is a good thing (it's Biblical!). I sleep well at night (Eccl 5:12!), but I want to make sure I don't lose sight of what's really important.

Just something I think about. I probably thought about it more this week, because I was too busy to write for a while. There's more to do than can ever be done (Lion King).

Then I write this and wonder if I put enough thought into it! Oh, Irony!. You're proof God has a sense of humor.