Are you a Mary or a Martha?

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

30 Nov 2006 10:49 PM

One story that really hits home in the New Testament is the story of Mary and Martha. When Christ came to visit their house Martha was busy putting everything in order. She wanted everything to be perfect for the Savior. While Mary sat at Christ's feet and listened to his teachings. Martha was frustrated and asked Christ to bid Mary to help her. In Luke 10:41-42 he responded:

"41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

This response illustrates the importance of taking time to listen and hear the words of the gospel. It also can point out that the worldly cares and responsibilities need to be set aside so that you can grow spiritually or help others spiritually as well.

It is often so easy to become frustrated when the list of things you need to get done never seems to shrink because you have been taken away to meet the needs of others. As a mother to young children this is especially true for me at this time. But when I take a step back and look at what my purpose is, and what my true goals are then my perspective changes. It is more important that I spend time ministering to my children, and other family members, than it is that I accomplish all ten things on my goal list for the day.

Martha was trying to do what was right. She wanted the Savior to be comfortable and have the best of what she could give. In doing this she lost sight of the gift that was before her. A chance to sit down and be taught by the Savior himself. It is easy to make the same mistake that Martha did in our own lives. For this reason it is important to sit down and take a look at what you really want to accomplish or gain from your life. Then you can look at the tasks that you are doing and decide if they are helping you to accomplish your goal.

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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Nola Redd (7081) 01 Dec 2006 12:42 PM

Sometimes it is so hard to balance the spiritual with the temporal, especially with two small kids. It would be great to fill up all of my time (and my kids time) with spiritual activities, but dh gets all grouchy if I don't make dinner...my kids whine a bit about it too, LOL. Hopefully by the time my oldest is 18 I'll have figured out a good sense of balance for toddlers; maybe I'll get the sense of balance with teens by the time I have grandkids. Great post! I wish I could do a better job of implementing things I know to be true.

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 04 Dec 2006 07:08 PM

I agree that it is hard to find the balance, but there are times when I step back and think, "Wait--this isn't what I really want to be focusing on." It is a constant balancing act.