Next week is Thanksgiving!  Today is Saturday and we have a plan.  As the mom of three adult children who are married with children, our grandchildren, I have already mapped out a plan for preparation.  I have learned over the years that a plan (with a backup plan) outlining all the details for preparation allows Randy and I to “pace” ourselves in preparing for the arrival of seventeen loved ones.  Experience teaches that we cannot do it all at once or it becomes too overwhelming.  We must allow for margin, making corrections as we go, when a detail is forgotten and something goes wrong at the last minute.  Am I a Martha?

This plan includes cleaning our home, a few tasks each day, while rearranging furniture to accommodate more than the two people who normally live here.  We do this to make people feel comfortable so we can talk and listen as we catch up on each other’s lives of dreams and achievements.  Randy and I do as much work as we possible can ahead of time so we can enjoy each other’s company.  Am I a Martha?

The roasted turkey might be the star of the meal around which side dishes are prepared by others who contribute to the meal, but the main course consists of hearts, minds, and souls who gather to offer thanksgiving to God for each person who pulls up the table as a family.  When our hearts aren’t focused, chaos ensues, and we become merely Marthas who are tense and unyielding.  So, who is Martha?

Martha wanted Jesus to come to her home.  Bear in mind, she welcomed the thought of being able to serve the Master Teacher who was becoming quite popular in the community.  Martha believed in who Jesus was and wanted Him to feel “at home.”  Putting a spontaneous meal together for Jesus and his followers took a lot of effort on her part, especially in those days!  It was an “all hands-on deck” moment to pull this together in Martha’s mind. The physical meal and the determination to be the hostess with the mostest drove Martha a bit crazy. 

Mary, who just sat there listening to Jesus, was on Martha’s last nerve … admit it, we’ve all been there.

Luke 10, The Message

Mary and Martha

^38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

^41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I admit, the organizational Martha gene is in my DNA.  Ask anyone who knows me.  But what I have learned over the years is this; Jesus loved Martha and Mary. Jesus loves me with these God-given gifts and abilities.  I am not ashamed of who God made me to be but I am ashamed when doing overrides being.

Martha’s “make it happen” gene leaped into action as she served her Friend and His Followers; but her heart lagged.  Therein lies the trouble. Her heart-lagging caused her hurried mind to be overly consumed with “must-do” details of her making.  This led to blaming Mary who whose heart was on target, forgetting what it took to serve a meal.  Martha was probably a bit jealous of Mary who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus.  Martha is torn between what is good and what is best.  Jesus gently leads her heart back to Him. 

Martha, Martha, chips and dip will do, come sit with Me.  In my thoughts just now, I can see her shoulders drop and feel her tender heart as she realizes Jesus is right.  Jesus would rather be with her for Jesus “did not come to be serve, but to serve.”  Wow, what a thought!  Pause for a minute and take that in. I am.

I have not arrived, as Paul writes to the Philippians, but I am learning that it is good to have and to hold the traits of both Martha and Mary.  I have a heart to serve.  I have a heart for Jesus.  I’m learning, and still perfecting the art of being a Martha with Mary’s heart by God’s grace. I pray consistently for God to keep me focused on the “main course” of sharing His love and compassion with graciousness. 

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14

Mary and Martha loved Jesus greatly.  We learn, then, that our response to Jesus is a correlation to what or who drives our hearts.  If our grateful hearts are focused on the “main course” —Jesus; His peace rules in our hearts in all we do.  Be then do.  Be with Jesus then do what He says.  Being is more important than doing.  Whoever is in our hearts generally guides our behaviors.  When the human details or people-pleasing traits take priority, the focus fades. 

Lord,

May your love in us guide our every thought and action.  May we serve others and You by your love in us.  Faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.  You first, then others.  May all that motivates us is our longing for others to know you, too.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Tell me the story of Jesus…write on my heart every word…