Be a Mary

This morning didn't start out too well. As I was about to get ready for work this morning, I learned that my daughter had taken my favorite hairbrush to school with her yesterday and then left it there and/or lost it. My hair just doesn't turn out the same way with any other brush. I don't know why, it just doesn't. Well, I wasn't a happy camper. Then my plans to work from 9am-12 noon, followed by an afternoon of Christmas prep (baking, cleaning, wrapping) an evening of dinner with friends and a lovely Christmas Eve church service) was foiled by the sheet of ice that was my driveway. I nearly fell three times this morning just trying to get to the car door. So I turned myself around and gingerly made my way back inside the house to wait for things to thaw a bit (it was supposed to get to all of 50 degrees today). I left the house by 11:15 and left work by 2:00. Everything has been pushed back and I was more than a little stressed and really very cranky, especially this morning. (Yeah, I felt a little evil this morning.)

On top of that, I'm pms-ing (hence the feeling evil), I've been shopping and wrapping and decorating and planning and crafting and running for what seems likes weeks (2 probably). I've been wanting to download some pics to post here - some of my house like everybody did on Boo-Mama's Tour of Homes as well as some of what the kids and I have been up to but there's just too much to do! IT'S CHRISTMAS, PEOPLE!!!!

THEN...As I'm cleaning some mess up outside, I hear a big CRASH inside and it turns out my daughter accidently knocked over a vase I've had for years. There were broken pottery shards everywhere. My daughter had this look on her face like "oh boy, mama's gonna blow." As I looked at the broken pieces all over my floor, I suddenly felt calm. I thought, somebody's tryin' to steal my joy and I am so not gonna let it happen. The story of Martha and her sister, Mary from the book of Luke chapter 10 came to mind. When Jesus came to their village, Martha invited Him and His disciples into their home. But, while Martha busied herself preparing a meal for everyone, Mary just sat at Jesus' feet the whole time listening to everything He had to say.

After I pondered this story for a moment, I told my daughter not worry; I'm not mad. I knew it was an accident. It is Christmas Eve, the day before we celebrate our Savior being born. All this other stuff is piddly in comparison. Yes, I have been spinning my wheels just like so many others this time of year. This is truly prime season for all Marthas. But in the midst of cleaning up the broken vase, I realized that even more, I need to be a Mary.

Yes, Martha, let's prepare, let's make a good meal, create a warm and inviting atmostphere and show love to our family and friends; let's do it and do it well. But in the midst of it, don't forget to be a Mary and worship our God. He sent His only Son to be humbly born in a lowly manger and to ultimately die for our sins. Like Mary, I want to be at His feet and hear what He has to say.

"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." Luke 10:41-42

Merry Christmas! May His Name be praised and may you be blessed.
Melanie