I am...Martha.

Not "Number Four". Martha.

As in, she-who-worries-over-everything. As in, the sister who doesn't chose the "better" like her goody-two-shoes sister Mary, bein' all sweet and proper and listening like a good girl should, when there are TONS of chores to be done around the house.

I mean, come on, Mary! Hop to it! Let's get crackin'! We're burnin' daylight!

Really, guys, I'm not bitter. I've just realized how much like Martha I really am, and how to apply Luke 10:38-42 to my life. I mean, it's a pretty simple lesson to learn, but it really hit me this week.

And God is funny about how He makes sure His children learn these simple lessons.

So, I was in a hustle and bustle, getting things done, straightening up before going to my neighbor's house to weed her garden (I'll tell you all about my poison ivy escapade later). I was already running late, because I woke up late (fail). But I knew I needed to have a devotional time, so I finally set myself down, whipped out my Bible like a super hero whips out her secret weapon - and couldn't focus on a single thing.

And I told God this. I'm learning that it's important to bring even those little things to God.

The only thing that came to mind was, "Am I a Mary or a Martha?"

Chuckling to myself, I flipped through Luke, muttering, "Yep, I'm a Martha, most definitely."

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."



I think we sometimes feel bad when we just sit down and do nothing. I know I do. It's weird, when I feel like I should be doing something. And then I feel bad feeling like that when I know I should be listening to what Jesus has to say.

Here's how God's sense of humor in His teaching comes in.

I looked out my window and watched this robin go about his business. At first, I couldn't really tell what he was doing. He had just stopped rummaging for worms, and sort of leaned on his left side and stayed there for a while. I finally realized he was basking in the sunlight.
I mean, a robin of all things. I've seen chickens bask, but a robin? Those little guys are always so busy! They've got mouths to feed, nests to build, places to fly to.

But even the smallest of these know that they need a break.
And God will use even the least of His creation to teach me a lesson.

Jesus has so much that He wants to share with us, but we're always caught up in a whirlwind of worries and things to do. Worries and things that can be taken away.

All this world has to offer can be taken in a second. But the truth and peace of God lasts forever.