I have been MIA on the blog the last few days... all sorts of non blog-worthy drama going on here in the Mangine family...
Today I taught in Kidspointe North at church. (This is for 3-5 graders.) I haven't taught in there in a while as I have moved down to preschool. It was fun to see all the "big kids" again.
So today the lesson was on Mary and Martha-- the importance of just being still and quiet before God... sitting with Jesus and letting him change us from the inside BEFORE we go out and try to do, do, do. Well, the truth is that I am a do-er. So often I slip into Martha mode and focus so much on what needs to be done that I don't remember to sit at the feet of Jesus very often. Even during my quiet times, I feel sort of task oriented... that might not be the right word, but it's the best I can think of.
As I was sitting there "being" Mary, I was so convicted that it was just a part I was playing.... my inner monologue was saying "the role of Mary will be played today by Gwenn." I felt like a hypocrite. I was sitting there telling the kids, "this is the best way to live" when I don't have very much experience with that lately. Do as I say kids, not as I do...
It's hard though, because the struggle is in the balance. I have to feed kids, change diapers, make supper, wash dishes, do laundry... and that's just the beginning of it. By serving my family I know I am serving the Lord, by serving in the church or working for the Haitian Children's Home I am serving the Lord, BUT... where in all of that is what Jesus would call the "one thing that is needed" and "the better choice???"
My friends Kris and Deena (who are both Martha's) agree that Martha gets a bad wrap. I totally think this is true. How do accomplish the things that must be accomplished daily for our families, how do we take part in a thriving church and/or ministry with out the "doing." If I am honest, part of me gets a little irked that Martha got rebuked. If it weren't for Martha's, how would we eat? How would the dishes get done? How would we have relevant environments at church for people to meet Jesus and grow? What about caring for widows and orphans? What about James 2 where it talks about faith without works being dead?
This isn't something I have figured out, so please let me know if you have it figured out... I would love to know.
