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

As I read and study the Bible, I am always amazed at how it speaks to us on a daily basis, even this many years later.

While my name is not Martha, I do have a sister named Mary, who I love dearly. However, living inside of me there is definitely a thriving Martha who often controls my thoughts and actions.

While I love entertaining my family, especially at the holidays, I have on occasion missed the most important part of the event. Yes, the house is decorated top to bottom, there is more food than can possibly be eaten, and everyone seems to have a wonderful time, even planning the next get together at our home before they leave. However, there are times after everyone is gone and I am cleaning up in the quiet that I think about what I missed. The conversations that I only floated in and out of, the games I started to play but then got distracted from finishing, the precious moments that I let get away by not stopping and truly listening to the ones I love.

God blesses us with people in our lives to love and who love us. Help me to put aside my perfectionist tendencies and to choose the better part.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, slow me down enough to hear your guiding word and to enjoy all the special people you have placed in my life.

– Pat Boyd