Every homemaker falls somewhere between being too lazy or too busy - hopefully right in the middle. Most of the time I'm guilty of swinging the pendulum too far to the right. Being an over-achiever has a much more pious ring to it than "sloth," don't you think? The truth is, there's no honor in being a distracted homemaker.
The Martha of the Bible was probably very much like the Martha Stewart-type today: her house always filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, floors you could like ice cream off of (hand-churned, of course), a plentiful garden with plants that never died prematurely, and neatly ironed bed sheets. It almost seems...thankless of the Lord to describe her preparations for Jesus' visit as a distraction!
However, it wasn't Martha's clean house and 5-star meal that was the problem. Jesus' concern was that she paid more attention to household chores than she did to Himself. How often am I not guilty of the very same thing? Hurriedly braiding Charity's hair on a Sunday morning during Bible reading so we can be on time for Church, cutting devotions short so I can make sure the housework gets done before our guests arrive, skipping Scripture memorization, just this once, because the kids are getting antsy or I'm too tired...
I tell myself it's because I'm doing something for the Lord so it doesn't seem so bad that I'm not spending time with Him. Jesus responds to Martha's fretting with warm, wise words:
The "one thing needful" is time with the Lord. As a wife mother to small children, and a homemaker, I sometimes wonder where in the day I'm going to find the time to make that happen. The Lord's response to Martha takes away any of the pressures that seem to get in the way. If we can find the time to manage and create all that makes for a hospitable home, than we have time enough to spend with the Lord. More important than serving bread at our table, is our willingness to be served by the Bread of Life Himself.
The Martha of the Bible was probably very much like the Martha Stewart-type today: her house always filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, floors you could like ice cream off of (hand-churned, of course), a plentiful garden with plants that never died prematurely, and neatly ironed bed sheets. It almost seems...thankless of the Lord to describe her preparations for Jesus' visit as a distraction!
However, it wasn't Martha's clean house and 5-star meal that was the problem. Jesus' concern was that she paid more attention to household chores than she did to Himself. How often am I not guilty of the very same thing? Hurriedly braiding Charity's hair on a Sunday morning during Bible reading so we can be on time for Church, cutting devotions short so I can make sure the housework gets done before our guests arrive, skipping Scripture memorization, just this once, because the kids are getting antsy or I'm too tired...
I tell myself it's because I'm doing something for the Lord so it doesn't seem so bad that I'm not spending time with Him. Jesus responds to Martha's fretting with warm, wise words:
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42If I were Martha, I probably would have burst into tears at Jesus words and let supper burn on the stove! My hypothetical reaction speaks volumes of the state of my heart and where it ought to be.
The "one thing needful" is time with the Lord. As a wife mother to small children, and a homemaker, I sometimes wonder where in the day I'm going to find the time to make that happen. The Lord's response to Martha takes away any of the pressures that seem to get in the way. If we can find the time to manage and create all that makes for a hospitable home, than we have time enough to spend with the Lord. More important than serving bread at our table, is our willingness to be served by the Bread of Life Himself.
Sometimes it's hard to take a step back from all the work we "have" to do.
ReplyDeleteSo true... Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Great reminder.
ReplyDeleteI tend to go the other direction. I have truly struggled with being a good homemaker. I did not have a good role model growing up and tend to be more onthelazy side. I get done what has to get done most of the time buti do find that I tend to have quite a bit of free time to sit. On the Internet or read. Buti know it's not time well spent. There are so many things I want to door try to do butcantseemto get there. I wish I had a good mentor around here that I could gain knowledge from but sadly I don't so I try to gain what I can from blogs like yours. Thank you for being the model for those of us who have no others.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I was feeling this morning...I needed somebody else to tell it to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! So very true!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! It is so true and what a great reminder
ReplyDeleteLovely post. :) I am usually the lazy homemaker, so I could use some more Martha in me. However, I find myself often "too busy" doing my lazy things to spend time with the Lord. There's always an excuse, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteIt is always a great reminder and one which is often put last - time with him. I know now that I have to spend my time first thing in the morning, before anyone else is up and grasping for my attention and time. I need to plug in to the source that gives me strength. Thanks for your genuine side showing "-)
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow over-achiever, I can relate! I've always seen in the Biblical Martha a reflection of myself... "cumbered about" and too busy to focus on the "one thing" Jesus said really matters.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouraging post. It's refreshing to hear it from your heart, Jacinda!
Sigh. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. I've heard 3 sermons on this passage in the past 5 weeks, and now this. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Jacinda. It can be very hard to Mary in a Martha-esque world.
ReplyDeleteVery good reminder! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, so true! And I'm sure many women out there can as well. Thanks for sharing your heart and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that story and needed to be reminded of it today. I've been feeling down and contemplating the fact that I've been skipping scripture study. And this solidified exactly what I need to do to get out of this rut! Thank you! It was a beautifully written reminder for introspection.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I stress myself out sometimes trying to keep up with everything and very easily skip setting aside time with Jesus. I need to make that my priority over all else!
ReplyDelete