Charity Autry, Member since 2008, Sunday School Leader, VBS Chair

Luke 10: 38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Reflection:
If you are of a certain age, you will read this and maybe you hear “Martha, Martha, Martha” from The Brady Bunch. At least that is what I hear every single time I read this scripture, but I change it to “Charity, Charity, Charity.” I can just see Jesus, the ultimate teacher, shaking his head. In this scripture, Martha is upset that she is doing all of the preparations and Mary is doing nothing but sitting at Jesus’ feet. Jesus teaches Martha it is better to be with him; do not be worried about many things.

You see I have always seen myself as a Martha. The person running around trying to do the “many things” while being annoyed that others are doing nothing, like Mary. I continually use work or chores as excuses why I cannot read the Bible or pray more. I need to cook, do the dishes, send emails, change the light bulbs, on and on. In Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver says, “Busyness, by itself breeds distraction.” Just because Mary opened her home to Jesus didn’t mean she opened her heart. Joanna Weaver goes on to say, “In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she (Martha) almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus.” Wow! How many times have I done this?  

With this pandemic, you would think I would have had ample opportunity to be close to Jesus. Our leaders told us to be still, our calendars became empty. However, I continued to make excuses and made myself busy. The busyness made me feel useful and needed, but it was just a distraction. I was not listening, “Charity, Charity, Charity!”

Not long into this pandemic, a bulging disc in my lower back became very irritated to the point I could not walk. Regulated between the bed and couch I heard God saying, “You were not listening, I told you to be still!!”  Well, I became very still; I was listening. Instead of delving deep into the depths of Netflix or social media I joined a Bible study, watched sermons, and listened to Christian music. I surrounded myself with all the things that remind me God is good, he is here, and he is the ultimate teacher. 

Enter the firework emojis here! I heard you, God! I learned my lesson! I wish that was the case. Once my back healed, I went right back to my old ways. I wanted to catch up on all the things I had not done while I was down. It didn’t take long. I injured my back again, probably pressure washing something.   

We are people that make mistakes over and over again. Thanks be to God, he is still there teaching, if we listen. “Charity, Charity, Charity.”

In full disclosure, my back went out two more times. Apparently I am not a quick learner.  Don’t worry, I have seen a doctor, he told me to take it easy (ha!). I don’t believe God hurt me to punish me, but it did give me the opportunity to be still and listen. When we get back to church and you see me limping around, you will know I had another opportunity.   

Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help us to have a Mary heart in our Martha world. Remind us to be still and take this opportunity to be in relationship with you. We pray we close our mind and mouth and open our hearts to listen to your teachings. We are so thankful for your presence and love all around us. Amen.