Hey, want to go to a dinner party?  We have an invitation to one from a long time ago.  We’re supposed to RSVP to Martha…wait, isn’t that Mary’s sister? 

Let’s review the story from Luke 10.

Basically, Martha invited Jesus over for a dinner party, and spent the whole time in the kitchen fretting about the party prep while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.  When Martha complained about it, Jesus said that Martha was concerned about many things, but Mary had chosen what was better. 

Anyone who knows me would fall off their chair laughing to think that I would ever consider identifying with Martha. 

I mean, I’ve always pictured her as the queen of clean for her block.  The original Martha of high standards before Ms. Stewart and her magazine came along. 

Actually, it doesn’t really say what she was doing, it just says she was distracted and was worried and upset. 

Being super cleaning lady I may not be able to relate to, but distracted, worried and upset are totally my world some days. 

You know what? I don’t want to be the poster girl for being distracted, worried, and upset about many things.  It seems like all of these little worries are keeping me from enjoying Jesus.

Part of me wonders what Martha did next.  Did Jesus use a tone of voice with her that was smiling and inviting her over to the party?  Did she leave her tray of radishes shaped into roses and go hang out with Him?  Did she feel the burden of having to be the perfect hostess/person lift off her shoulders that night?

What I want to take away with me this week is the reminder to put Him first, before anything.  To go back to His Word and sit at His feet before I even get my day started. 

Instead of hitting the ground running in the morning, stopping and hanging out with Him for a while.  Not because it’s a chore or because I feel guilty if I don’t, but because He wants me to be there, He looks forward to it.  He can’t wait for me to put down my rose-shaped radishes to spend some quality time with Him.