This week, my full time work schedule has been more stressful than last week. It came to my attention in a very harsh way that I am spread a little thin with committments - and that it would be best for my family and myself if I would learn to "Just Say No". The below link is to an intersting Christian perspective on over-activity.
http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=124&d=1&c=6&p=1
I am far more like Martha than Mary. I completely understand and sympathaize with poor Martha who is working her tail off so that her household and appearances would be perfect. I understand being irritated when people are late (although I'd like to think I would have stopped short of rebuking Jesus) and resenting the fact that others can sit and do nothing while she works nonstop. I envy the "Mary's" out there who are truly untroubled by a messy house, who don't see it as a problem if her family eats Pizza Hut rather than an organic, balanced, from-scratch meal, and who puts little value on appearances and much value on relationships. I would like to be more like that.
This week, I started taking a look around to see how to make my life more "Mary-like". This is difficult and makes me very uncomfortable b/c I dislike idleness with a passion and equate it with laziness, and am a perfectionist to the core. For me, this is a discipline that I need to master. Hopefully, discipline in this area will open the door to a more "Mary-like" existence and one that I'd be proud for my children to follow.
I relate to this post very much, but I have only been a Martha for very short periods in my life. Usually, I'm much more of a Mary, and while that approach does have its benefits, I sometimes feel down if the house gets too trashed for too long. Isn't it wonderful how our children encourage us to grow? When I think of what I want B to remember about her childhood, it helps me accept the mess and take life easier. That being said, I also clean up my house somewhat every couple of weeks, even though it's an arduous battle, because I believe that even us Marys have to welcome people into our homes, preferably without disgusting them. :-)
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