Lucy and the Chocolate Factory

Do you have a hard time keeping up with your everyday life? I do! The days are full! But in a fantastic, extraordinary, good, sort of way. When having a hard time accomplishing all that is expected of me, I am reminded of a scene in an old show. I have to giggle every time I see this clip! In the show I Love Lucy, Lucy and her friend try to keep up with the procession line in a chocolate factory. Struggling with the responsibility, they find a fun alternative to 'dealing' with the chocolate candy. I like Lucy's solution! See below.

As a woman, we wear many hats, don’t we? Most of us have multiple roles and are juggling several responsibilities. If I am not careful, I will run around in a hot mess and look for chocolate to stuff in my mouth. Haha! Perhaps, you can relate. We are wives, moms, sisters, friends and nanas. We have careers, volunteer at church, play

"taxi driver" for the kiddos, and take care of our homes! The responsibilities are endless.

However, the business of life has been a timeless issue. There is a story of two sisters from many years ago. One was running ragged. One paused at the feet of Jesus. One felt the pressure to prepare her home and a meal. The other sat and soaked in the presence of her Lord. Here's the story.

Luke 10:38-42

"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.”

Here are a few points that stick out to me in this reading.

Martha was distracted, but had an attitude to go along with it. Take a deeper look at her demeanor. You can see her heart message in your words. For “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Martha expressed her demenor with a complaining attitude, “Lord don’t you care? My sister has left me to do all the work!" First Maratha complained about her situation. Then she compared her circumstances to her sisters and felt like she had the least desirable outcome. Martha was tired of serving while Mary sat. Martha seems a little resentful. “My sister has left me with all the work to do.”

Now, you may be like me and feel that someone has to do the responsibilities or it will not get done. I agree. However, I believe Martha's attitude was part of the problem. Don't serve, if you are going to be sour while serving. Instead, my I suggest that you sit before your serve?

Not only was Martha complaining and comparing, but she was commanding. Interestingly, she calls Jesus, 'Lord,' and then tells Jesus to command Mary to help her. "Lord, tell her to help me!" She is telling Jesus what to do!

Friend, do you complain, compare and start giving commands? Instead, maybe we can learn from Mary. She “chose a better thing.” Mary was consumed with the presence of her Lord. She chose to sit and listen. “Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Interesting tidbit - Do you know that Mary is mentioned three times in Scripture and all three times she is at Jesus's feet. (Luke 10:38-43, John 11:1-44 and John 12:1-8) Mary knew how to sit in the presence of her Lord. Mary knew Him and recognized the importance of the relationship.

Friends, don't be so busy serving that you forget to sit and soak in His words. If you only accomplish the tasks without sitting before Him, your attitude will sour. Instead, pause. Rest. Listen. You can have the heart of Mary in this Martha world by making time to sit and savor your Savior first. If we do, we can arise and serve from a heart of love and gratitude...we won't even have to stuff our face with Chocolate!

Now, excuse me, for I am taking the weekend to rest! I hope you will find pockets of rest and restoration too. Love!