As Covid mandates have been lifted and parts of our previous “normalcy” is creeping back in, how many of you are getting crushed again under the weight of “to do’s”? Don’t get me wrong, for many of us these lists were still present; they just looked different. Now we are piling back into cars headed off to practices and rehearsals, adding back the song of hectic. 

Maybe it’s just me, but when hectic starts singing her chorus my patience wears thin.

I begin to feel like no one else is helping and I’m just over here hanging on for dear life. 

As I was reading a familiar story in Luke 10, I couldn’t help but find sympathy for Martha. I am guessing if you are a busy momma, you will too.

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!”

A few summers ago, I wrote Stranger Things and I stand by it. The anticipation of people arriving, the hustle of getting everything perfect, and the smiling faces as people arrive; oh how I miss hosting. COVID has halted international soccer coaches from staying, throwing extravagant birthday parties, opening my home to my women’s small group, and even just enjoying other family gatherings. Do you miss being able to accommodate for others?

I firmly believe in Romans 12:13 Take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. We are to help others to feel safe and welcomed. Most of the time being the host brings me so much joy, as I am guessing it also did for Martha, but sometimes it is absolutely exhausting. 

Do you hear her song of hectic, with the chorus of “why me?” on repeat? Perhaps if you grew up watching the Brady Bunch you may even hear a familiar sound, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!” 

Martha is acting like we all do when we are overwhelmed with “to do’s,” we hold on tight to what we believe we can control and when it becomes too much, we blame others for not pitching in. 

When our first son was born with an undiagnosed heart defect and underwent open heart surgery, we were surrounded by people. During these first several weeks, I needed the help of others to hold me up. But as time went on, the hospital became my “home” and anytime others came I went into “Martha” mode. I was worried about how others were feeling, if they were hungry, and if they could really handle what they were seeing. I knew seeing my son was quite shocking and therefore I spent the majority of their visit trying to make them feel comfortable. 

This is why when we decided to remove our son from all life support, we decided we did not want any family or friends in the room with us. I knew I would worry about how everyone else was feeling/reacting and not focus on my last moments with my son. It was not an easy or popular decision, but I had to let go of what anyone else thought and did what was best for me. We soaked in the last moments with our son, holding him close, saying a lifetime of “I love you’s,” memorizing each feature, and listening to him take his last little breath. 

I think about all this when I read Jesus’ response to Martha,

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.”

Sometimes we just need to let go and listen. All the “to do’s” will still be there. Be still in the moment. Sit at His feet. 

Are you guilty of being like Martha so often that you never take hold of the moment to listen like Mary?