Being Mary in a Martha World

I was recently listening to one of my dad's sermons on my iPod. I wish it were still online and I would link you to it but it was on Luke 10:38-42.

38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a
woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But 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, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

So who can relate to Martha? We understand her irritation. Let's face it. We live in a Martha world. Whoever is the busiest is the best. What do you think of when you think of the SUPERMOM? Honestly. I'll tell you what I think of. She has a spotless house, always serves home cooked meals, all the clothes are washed and ironed, lunches are prepared the night before, she exercises every day, pays the bills the instant they arrive, changes the oil after every 3000 miles, volunteers at church, school, and at least one charity, and all with a smile on her face.

She makes me tired.

She makes me feel inadequate.

But is this who my role model should be?

Martha was busy making preparations and fussed to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her. Ever done that? Ever fussed to Jesus that you couldn't get any help? :) And how does Jesus reply? "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things..." She's not just working hard, she's "worried and upset about many things". Interesting. Is SUPERMOM worried and upset and I just didn't know it? She makes it look easy after all.

But here's the real point. It's not that Martha did all the work and Mary did none. It's that Mary knew when to stop and sit at the feet of the Savior. The truth is, preparations had probably been going on all day. Mary had been working hard as well, but when Jesus showed up, she stopped, she sat at his feet, she listened to his teaching. Read verses 41 and 42 again.

41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many
things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it
will not be taken away from her."

We have a choice. Are you a SUPERMOM? Are you missing the one thing that is needed? There is work to do, there are preparations to be made, yes. But at some point do we choose what is better? Sit now and then dear sister at his feet and listen.

*The character SUPERMOM in this blog is fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. :)