Today is Wednesday, April 25th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2303

"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.'”

~ Luke 10:38-42 NIV

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Most Karen's Korner readers know that I am part of ecumenical group of Christian women known as 'Marys and Marthas'. Five us traveled to Washington D.C. to receive our community's national award; we were listed for our leadership efforts as 'Marys and Marthas'. At our table for the award luncheon was a pastor and his wife who were also award winners.

The question from the Albany, New York pastor to us was, "So who was doing the right thing? Mary and Martha?"

"They both were was my response to his questions," I replied.

An inspired thought I had several years ago, don't know if I am right or not:  "Mary was doing the right thing, sitting at Jesus' feet. Martha was doing the right thing, making food or other guest preparations. The mistake that Martha made was when she started to whine to Jesus about what her sister wasn't doing. She began to compare herself to Mary."

"We make the same mistakes," I told him, "when we remind Jesus about the better job or family that someone else has. Why didn't I get her looks or his abilities?"

Jesus doesn't want us looking around. He doesn't want us comparing ourselves or our situations with others. He wants us to 'look at and toward Him'. If we do that, we thrive and survive. If we look around, we get into trouble.

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your help and Your care. Thank You that I don't need to look around at others and compare my situation. I am human; like Martha I want to remind You what I see. Help me look at and to You. You have taken care of me, and us, in the past. Today is no exception. Thank You for Your love, for the future plans You have for my life. In Your Name, Amen.

 

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