Martha, Martha, Martha!

                            

                                            

Why is the title of this post Martha, Martha, Martha you ask? Well, it's simple. I am a Martha. Do you remember the story in the Bible of Mary and Martha? Mary is sitting listening at Jesus' feet  and Martha is running around frazzled preparing dinner and getting things ready. (Luke 10:38-41) I can so relate to Martha because I am her on so many levels. Chores, chores, chores, do, do, do. You can ask the Rev and he will tell ya I am always thinking about the next thing on my to do list and there is ALWAYS something more to do.

The problem is lately, I don't like it. I feel like I have been neglecting my family for housework. I mean, who seriously does that? Well, a Martha does! And she does it all. She is going around scrubbing the floors, making dinner, throwing in laundry, making the beds and weeding the garden all at once! (ask me how I know! I am a multitasker at it's finest!) So then I read this blog post this morning. YIKES! While I don't work outside the home or go out with friends (it helps if you have them to do this!) I do have chores and busyness.

Some things need to be sacrificed in order to have a good and healthy relationship with my kiddos. I'll admit I'm not perfect. It's blatantly apparant to me often. So how hard is it for a Martha to sacrifice doing and moving and chores? This may sound dumb to those who aren't a Martha type, but it is hard. I am going to keep this a matter of prayer for me that God would change my heart. The good news is it is getting nice out and I love going out with the boys. I don't want my boys to remember me cleaning all the time but to remember the fun things we did together.

 Sometimes being a Martha makes you grouchy too and that's no fun! Remember in the Bible? I can see her getting more and more steamed at Mary as she is working and cleaning and doing as she glances over at her just sitting. Oh, that would definitely be me! My face would getting red and I bet you'd be able to see the steam coming from my ears! Who wants that? Not me! (and certainly my kids don't want or deserve a grouchy mom!) So I am thankful for God's grace and mercy and compassion on my shortcomings and trusting that he'll change my Martha ways to be in the present listening to and being with my family. And thank you to my boys and the Rev for putting up with my Martha ways for so long. Hopefully, today is the start of change! I can hear Jesus now, "Heidi, stop and smell your kids!" (hopefully He means after a bath! hee hee!)
Isaiah 30:18a

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion."