Martha And Mary

Luke 10:38-42

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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I don't think I've understood this passage sufficiently, as I've seen it as reinforcing my laziness. I tend to be more of a Mary, who "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said," rather than actually doing "all the preparations that had to be made." I've always been happy to sit with the guys discussing deep theological issues, while the women toiled in the kitchen. It seems I can always be content to sit while others worked. There will always be things that have to be done, and someone has to do them. But Martha was distracted, worried and upset; Mary was relaxed. I'm trying to find the balance here.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.