Day 33: in defense of Martha

 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 few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

My kids destroy our RV at least twice a day during our trips.  Someone has to prepare meals,  prepare beds,  prepare the cabin for travel.  I find myself occasionally buried in resentment. 

Why do I have to be the only one who does this???

Often when I feel this way, this story of Martha and Mary pops into my mind and forces me to think about the moment.  Do I need to be cleaning right now? Am I missing something important?

But I also want to yell back at Jesus,  "of course Martha would love to sit there and listen,  but SOMEBODY has to feed everyone and make sure the essentials are taken care of.  It isn't magic Jesus. Not all of us have the option of performing a miracle"

There is a time to let the dishes stay dirty in sink,  to grab a quick snack instead of making a meal,  or skipping a bath to catch an important life memory.  Of course there is.  But the rest of the time,  the Martha's of the world make everything work.  They make sure we are fed and comfortable,  clean and have a good place to sleep. They are silent in the background working hard to make the beautiful moments in life happen. 

I can choose Mary moments,  but the world needs Martha.