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.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
We like to have people into our home, we do so on a very regular basis - we feed the youth group every Wednesday evening, we have friends over for lunch after church on Sundays, host singing nights, game nights, and any other excuse we can find to invite people in we like to do so. Going along with inviting people into our home goes preparing our home: cooking, cleaning (and keeping it clean).
I will be completely honest, in the midst of preparations a lot of times I question myself, doubt myself, and totally lose my cool while wondering "why in the world am I doing this? Why am I working to feed 15 hungry teenagers while trying to nurse a baby, kiss an invisible owie and shove all of our dirty laundry into a closet nobody will look in?" ... I always find the answer after everyone has left, when I am still in one piece begging God to forgive my childish attitude and thanking Him for an opportunity to be surrounded by brothers and sisters who share a common likeness in Christ. I do it because the benefits far outweigh my irritating desire and frustrations when I fail to live up to Martha Stewart’s expectations.
When I read the passage from Luke 10:38 I am overwhelmingly convicted because when I place myself there, I am Martha. While everyone around me was sitting at the Lord's feet listening to what he said Brittani was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made...
How many times have I been so distracted by meaningless things that I forget to take part in the One thing that is needed?
I want to be the woman sitting at the Lord’s feet listening and soaking up all He has for me, even if dinner is burnt, the house is a mess, and I haven’t washed my hair in days, I will choose the one thing that is needed, the one thing that cannot be taken away from me.
Thankful for God’s gentle reminders.
Until next time,
Brit
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