From Martha to Mary

It’s been a couple weeks since writing my last blog, but it’s been such a refreshing time. My family and I have enjoyed some much-needed family time together and we started our home learning in the mornings. It always seems to take me a couple of weeks to get into the swing of things when starting up a new routine, but I think we are beginning to get on track.

I decided to give us a head start on home learning to eliminate feeling overwhelmed or rushed to get through everything. It has been a wise choice because it has allowed me to tweak our schedule to what works best for our personalities and it has given my boys the opportunity to gradually get on board with this routine. They weren’t overly thrilled with the idea of learning rather than playing all morning long, but their attitudes have definitely improved towards it. We still have some days that start with tantrums and meltdowns, but the great thing about home learning is that we can choose to put it away until later or make it up another day.

Home learning has really been a learning experience for me. I have had to learn to let go of certain expectations that I had for my household. I am that parent who allows my children to play with one set of toys at a time. I simply cannot handle all of my children’s toys dumped on the floor. It literally drives me nuts.

So, here’s my confession: when I see the toys dumped everywhere, I just cannot let it continue. I cannot continue what I’m doing until it is re-organized and back to a state of cleanliness. I literally see the mess and can feel my heart race and blood boil.

 

Is this a little excessive? Yes

Is this a tad OCD? Yes

But this is just how I run my household. My two older boys often choose one toy at a time. When it is time to clean up, they know where their toys get sorted. It just works for our family.

So, why am I telling you all of this?

Well, it was only a couple weeks into our home learning and my husband had just woken up mid-day after working a night shift. He walked into the kitchen to see what we were up to, then proceeded into the living room to say hi to our youngest who was playing nicely by himself. My husband’s response was, “What happened in here?”

I took no offense to it, as it wasn’t meant to be offensive, but he had never seen the living room in this state. Our youngest had taken every book off the book shelf and sprawled them all over the floor. Every toy box was dumped out. Toys were absolutely everywhere. All my pillows were thrown off the couch, because they’re way more fun to lay on when they are on the floor. There was a trail of cheerios leading throughout the entire main floor, along with some that had been crushed as he tromped around the house amusing himself. Let me tell you, he was one very content little boy playing independently by himself, but my house was a complete disaster.

As I sat at the kitchen table teaching my two older boys, I could see it all playing out, but I knew then and there that I had to choose what was more important. So, I simply let it go.

I realized in that moment, I had to prioritize what was truly important.

I am continuously reminded of the story of Martha and Mary. Time and time again, I find myself being a Martha. Jesus’ response to Martha is so humbling. It calls for a heart transformation.

“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 few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38-42

Every circumstance or calling God places before us is His way to transform our hearts and turn our focus back to Him. My expectations for my household often take precedence over what is more important. I easily could have prioritized the cleanliness of my living room over learning alongside my boys. Many times, I catch myself worried about the cleanliness of my kitchen rather than focusing on fellowship with my guests. The Lord is continuing to transform my heart. It is taking me many lessons, but thankfully He is patient and gracious.  I am encouraged by the transformation in my heart so far. Although, I’m a work in progress, I have the reassurance that I have chosen what is better.

So, let’s leave with this promise:

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Many Blessings!

Share: How has the Lord been transforming your heart lately?