The Lesson of Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38-42)
Luke 10:38-42
[38] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] 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!”
[41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Today’s entry will be short… the five verses from the book of Luke make it pretty clear…
Sometimes you need to forget the day-to-day stuff and focus on the important things.
With family, church, workplace, and community gatherings taking over our weekends as we celebrate Christmas and the coming New Year, don’t get bogged down in the details and the preparations.
Remember to enjoy the people and the occasion.
Which do you want people to remember: You as a stressed-out and irritable person or a laughing, “oh-well-these things happen” person?
Which do you want people to remember: You as a participant in the event or an unseen face who never leaves the kitchen?
Which do you want people to remember: You as a pleasant participant in the event or a shrewish-critical voice of complaint?
Share the workload, leave the dirty dishes for later, and do whatever it takes to get yourself involved on a personal level with the people you have the opportunity to visit with.
The holiday event will be more satisfying for you and everyone else. The work will always be there later. And when the fun is over, other people may be more inclined to help you do the work.
