I’m a Martha.
A present-day, New Testament Martha. Here’s what I mean…
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:38-42]
Martha and Mary had hospitality in their hearts. They loved their special guest and wanted to serve him well. And they did — in strikingly different ways.
Martha prepared; Mary participated.
One sister focused on the cleanliness of her home and the timeliness of the meal; the other sister simply focused on her visitor.
I’m a Martha.
My blood isn’t the only thing that’s Type A. I have a propensity for perfection. I pick up crumbs as they fall. I’m partial to words like punctual, symmetrical, and immaculate. “A place for everything, everything in its place,” right Ben Franklin? I concoct these obnoxious expectations and get all frazzled when (duh) I cannot meet them. And in my overzealous attempt at having things just so… I just so happen to neglect the thing that matters most.
“Perfect has nothing on truly, completely, wide-eyed, open-souled present.” [Shauna Niequist]
How many moments of connection have I missed — too busy hustling and bustling and Spic and Spanning and treating my to-do list like the guest of honor — when I could have been sitting on the couch with my friend or in the grass with my children or at the feet of Jesus?
Martha’s of the world — I love you so. Our intentions are genuine, and our labor is good. We’re wired the way we’re wired… our wires just happen to be color-coded and neatly wound with little zip ties. Mankind needs our highly-organized, task-oriented ambition. Nevertheless, we are granted permission to take a breather and encouraged to trade in some of our GO and DO for a little more BE.
Maybe we can start by reading a page or two from Mary’s playbook. She’s the sister (or friend or neighbor or human) we want in our lives. She is an optimal mix of relaxed, easygoing, and content. She prioritizes conversation over clean countertops and quality time over time management. She equates messes with living. And as far as she’s concerned — just spell STRESSED backwards and grab a seat next to her at the table.
Martha or Mary? Which sister do you relate to… are you drawn to… can you learn from?
There are no wrong answers. All personality types are fundamental to the grander narrative. Each of our quirky hearts and natural habits possess merit. Yet Luke’s story offers me a slice of humble pie.
I’m a Martha.
Paying attention to details is (and will be) in my blood… but paying attention to Jesus’s wisdom is (and should be) in my best interest.
Only one thing is needed.
Choose what is better.