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Committing Our Presence
Sunday, March 8

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- Luke 10:38-42

A common conversation at our house:
“Kids, clean up the playroom!”
“Why? Who’s coming over?”
(Shoving as much as I can into a closet) “Some new friends! Don’t you want the house to look nice?! Let’s go! I need your help!”

Whether we’re efficient tidy-ers or spur of the moment cleaners, many of us can identify with the worry and frustration of Martha as she frantically readies her home for her guest. The place is a mess! The meal isn’t going to prepare itself! And here’s the rub – she’s doing ALL the work while her sister just sits there. It doesn’t seem fair. As the member of our family who cares the most about a clean house (though, it’s not a tough contest), this strikes home.

In many eyes, Martha is in the right - if she doesn’t worry about getting the home ready for a guest now, who will?! If she doesn’t clean the cooking area, she can’t start dinner. If she can’t start dinner soon, food will be served late. And so on. 

As a working mom, I get Martha’s way of thinking. To keep things running smoothly, you always have to be thinking three steps ahead. And here’s the thing – I would guess that Mary was more like Martha than we give her credit for. I don’t think Martha would be so frustrated with Mary if she never helped anyway. But Mary was wise enough to stop when something really important was Right. In. Front. Of. Her. And what a great thing was right in front of her! Jesus himself! I think all of us would hope that if Jesus himself was speaking to us, we wouldn’t be worrying about dishes. Much less complaining to him that other people weren’t also worrying about dishes. To Jesus. And yet, how many times have I put off play time with my kids because a room needed tidying. Or put off prayer until it ceases to happen at all. Or hurried through meaningful fellowship because I had other places to be.

My hope for myself and you this Lent is to slow down. Even slow down to a stop. And notice when Jesus is Right. In. Front. Of. You. Maybe it’s in a true face-to-face connection with friends or family. Or deep and transformative prayer. Or creating time to read his word. Jesus is all around us. Right here. Don’t be too busy to notice. “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Melissa Fleetwood
 

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