Mary, Martha, The Slob Sisters and Me

Our first year as a family

When my kids were young things were busy. I had chosen to homeschool my kids, but my reasons

were purely selfish. I just really liked hanging out and playing with them, they. Even now as they are all grown, that is still true.
We had a combined family and it felt like the best way to get to know each other was to be together, so we chose to homeschool for several years. Between school, cooking and sports life kept us hopping. My house was not the cleanest, and the laundry didn't always get done, but we had a lot of fun. I often felt guilty about my lack of domestic interest, until I found a book written by two sisters, Peggy Young and Pam Jones. They called themselves the slob sisters. They were a pair of easily distracted, fun loving, mothers, that had a hard time keeping the house in order. Their book outlined a system to help those of us that felt we fell short of good housekeeping standards. The book itself had some great ideas, but what really helped me was just knowing I wasn't alone, and that there were enough of us to write a book about it.


Christmas Morning 20 years later

So much of our lives are lived comparing ourselves to others, as mothers, wives, Christians, professionals, women and friends. We say we want to be known, but we hide who we are out of fear of not measuring it up. Sometimes we just need to hear Jesus say; put it all down and sit at my feet. You please me as you are, nothing else is required.
I haven't really changed over the years, my kids are all grown, but my house still has a layer of dust.
 I'll get around to it, right after I finish this blog.
When Jesus used teachable moments He wanted us to search our motives. I can't say that my lack of domestic desire was spiritual. That would be nice, but it would also be a lie. I like to play, be with people and do the things I am passionate about. I have since learn that I have to do my housework before I can go out to play. I still don't like it.

 As Mary sat at the feet of Jesus mesmerized by His teaching, she barely noticed her sister rushing around. Martha on the other hand showed her adoration for the master by making sure everything was just right. She didn't understand how her sister could be so lazy and rude. When she complained to the Teacher, fully expecting his support, His words surprised her.
Luke 10:38-43 Martha, Martha you are worried and distracted about many things, but few things are needed
Wow, when you try and try to do everything right as a mother and a parent those verses can almost feel like a punch in the gut. Then once you have recovered and because you are a perfectionist you begin to feel guilty because you do so much. Why aren't you more like Mary, so you write on your checklist BE MORE LIKE MARY. It's a vicious cycle of do this, no do this, be like this, no like that.......
I don't think Jesus words to Martha were meant to be a reprimand or to induce guilt, Jesus wanted Martha to stop and think. Martha was judging Mary, and working to please Jesus. All he was trying to tell her was that She already pleased Him, no more was needed.
 If our lives are full of worry, anxiety, stress, and crushing guilt because we aren't "doing" enough, we aren't' hearing His voice.
Jesus did not love Mary more than Martha. He loved Martha, just as she was, that was His message. What He did reprimand was that she judged her sister. In verse 42 he says
 ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
 Jesus did not need or want Martha's service in the way she was offering it, He wanted her, nothing else was needed. Mary chose to risk not serving in a society that place high importance on women serving. She was rewarded for her choice.
How often do we try to show Jesus we love Him, or gain his approval by our works, not understanding that what is needed is for us to sit and abide in Him. How often do we judge our sisters in Christ by a standard that was put on us by the world around us, hurting relationships and pushing others away.

John 15:4-5New  ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Remember sister: Few things are needed, Abide in Him.