Which one are you?
One of Jesus best friends was a man from Bethany named Lazarus. Lazarus had two sisters, named Martha and Mary who lived with him and ran his household. One day Jesus came for a visit and Martha was busy making everything perfect for his arrival. She had cleaned the house, prepared a wonderful meal, and saw to it that everything was ready. When Jesus arrived Martha began finishing the meal, and getting it on the table, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to the stories he told Lazarus. She couldn’t get enough of being in his presence, and just sat there for a long time. Finally, feeling a bit jealous of Mary, getting to sit and bask in the presence of Jesus, Martha complained to Jesus. While he appreciated everything Martha had done to make his visit warm and inviting, he admonished Martha. He said: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Unbeknownst to Mary and Martha, Jesus knew after his impending death, the time Mary sat at his feet listening to him, would be cherished and never be forgotten.
We get so caught up in our busy lives that we rarely take the time to be still, and bask in the presence of God. We have grocery shopping, laundry, school functions that keep us going like a neighborhood taxi driver. We forget what can be the good part of our day, because we are just too busy! Life can shift because of circumstances, like becoming an empty nester. It is a time in our life we can choose to be Mary for a while. Shut out the world, be quiet, be still, and know that he is God. Sometimes, even when we have the opportunity to do just that, we ensconce ourselves in television, Facebook, and other unimportant mind numbing things, and miss the opportunity to be like Mary. Whatever stage of life you are in right now, be kind to yourself, and be still long enough to bask in the presence of God, remember, it is the good part!
As parents we need to teach our children how to have down time. To rest their bodies and their minds, and just be in the moment. The Bible tell us to be still and know that I am God. And if we let our children fill their every waking moment being busy and rushed, they will not know how to listen for God’s presence, and they will not even know who they really are themselves.
We as authors can choose who our characters will follow after, Martha or Mary. Just as in our own personal lives, for thoughts and ideas to come, sometimes we need peace and quiet; to be still and know!
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:5
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:38-42