the better part

In our ladies Bible class, we’ve begun a series based on Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. Have you read it? After getting a mere 5 pages in, I already am convicted of a few things about my life.

Luke 10 dedicates a scant five verses to the story of Jesus coming to Martha’s house where she was frantically working on preparations while her sister Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet.

Martha was frustrated by her sister’s seeming laziness, so she marched herself right up to Jesus and tattled. She expected Jesus to chastise Mary and make her help with the work. But in a surprise move, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part and it would not be taken away from her.

I can just imagine Martha standing there with her jaw to the floor, wondering how on earth Jesus could let Mary get away with not helping. How many times have I wondered why someone got off easy while I had to put in the hard work? How many times have I been so focused on the preparation that I missed out on the fun? And how many times have I run to God, telling on so-and-so for doing such-and-such when I felt so sure I was right and he or she was wrong?

There’s a lesson to be learned in that. But I think if you dig a little further, there might be an even more important lesson waiting to be found.

Jesus’ words are important. He told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part. There was a choice, and it was open to both sisters. Martha and Mary had the same choice to make and Mary chose the better part. Speculation says Mary’s personality was more suited for natural worship, but she still went against the cultural norms by sitting among the men to hear Jesus. Martha had the choice to stop was she was doing in order to absorb the words and wisdom of the Messiah, but she deemed the preparations more important.

And that’s the message I challenge you to take from this story. We have a choice. Sometimes it comes easily to make the choice for the better part. For some, it may be a natural fit. But so many times, at least for me, making the choice for the better part is easier said that done. It may mean that we have to give up what comes naturally to us, or makes us happy or gives an air of importance. Whether it's to follow our nature or not, we have the choice just the same.

Where are you being a Martha in your life? What do you need to change in order to be a Mary? How can you choose the better part? These are the questions on my mind. Maybe they'll help you or maybe you'll come up with some of your own.

'tis the season....

Confession: I'm a Christmas junkie!

On Saturday morning, I rolled out of bed at 5:45 a.m. If you know me, then you know I'm not a morning person. And you would expect that only fear of losing my job would drag me kicking and screaming from the oasis of my bed, and my attitude would reflect as much. But not this day. No, no, friends -- this day, I rolled out of bed with a SMILE on my face...HUMMING Christmas songs.

So here's wishing you lots of "fa la la's" this holiday season. Merry Christmas!



  

hello.....?

Does anyone still read this? It's been AGES! I'm a bad, bad blogger....

At any rate, you are invited to the Pampered Chef party I somehow got roped into hosting. It's Saturday (11/18) at the church at noon. It'll be fun...and there's no pressure to buy. If, however, you do want to buy, we can accomodate that too. And if you don't live here and still want to buy, let me know. :)

personality

I was catching up on some blog reading and saw that my friend Niki had posted a personality quiz. Loving both personality study and quizzes, this was perfect!

I appreciate the quiz's "scientific" affirmation that I am who I think I am AND who I want to be. Studies show that people who try to be what they are not end up stressed. (I find it funny that studies were done to determine this when it seems like common sense.) But I remember the days of trying to be who I am not and am grateful that for today, I have found peace in being exactly who God created me to be -- flaws and all.

Jung Explorer Test
Actualized type: ESFP
(who you are)

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

Preferred type: ESFP
(who you prefer to be)

ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population.

Take Jung Explorer Test

and now it's time for SILLY STORIES WITH TAMS

Camp Impact -- one of my favorite weeks of the year! Unfortunately, I neglected to take any pics so I can't provide proof of being at camp aside from this funny story.

I was assigned to speak at the Starlight Devo for the girls one night and so, being the organized, thoughtful, and planned person I am (or at least faking these qualities to the best of my ability), I had typed up a few notes to use and a quasi-outline of the things I wanted to say. I had it printed and folded neatly in my Bible so I was all set to go. No worries.

We started out with some songs and a prayer, and then it was my turn to speak. Before you start getting sympathy nausea, let me tell you that I'm one of those rare breeds who loves giving talks, teaching, and speaking in front of groups of whatever size. It doesn't intimidate me, I don't get nervous, I don't freak out. I actually think it's fun! So I'm totally geared up for this. (Astute readers might note some subtle foreshadowing....)

I get a few minutes into my talk when suddenly, out of nowhere, a gnat (or some other small flying creature) decided that the very best place to be in the whole entire world was -- of all places -- inside my nose. WHAT?! Yes, this little winged thing decided that my right nostril would be the coziest, most comfortable, most enjoyable locale on the planet.

Before you decide to book your next flight to Nostrilville USA, let me tell you that I did not enjoy this surprise visitor and the 'ville is closed to future travelers worldwide.

I suddenly found myself between the proverbial rock and hard place. I mean, I had the attention of 150 girls who were actually letting God speak through me to bring them a message...but I also had a bug up my nose. I was torn between keeping the momentum going and stopping everything to blow my nose more thoroughly than I had in years.

Well I decided to be sneaky and find a compromise. See, while I had my key scriptures somewhat memorized and even printed out on my notes page, I decided to just turn to the side and look up the scriptures in my Bible. In that time, while turning to Psalm 119, I blew as quietly as I could, simultaneously praying that I didn't snot all over the place.

God is truly good to me. The bug came out and nothing else. (Was that an overshare?)

Apparently nobody knew what was going on. A few friends who knew I had notes wondered why I was using my Bible, but other than that...not even the person sitting nearest me knew what had happened. Until, of course, I dismissed the girls to their dorms and started cracking up as I shared my story with anyone who would hear it.

And that concludes this episode of SILLY STORIES WITH TAMS. Thank you, and come again!

challenges

Children's ministry, I've discovered, doesn't really have an "off" season or a lot of down time so I go from busy to busier to busiest and back...but never is it slow or dull or boring. Mind you, I'm not complaining. I love the ever-changing aspect of ministry in which no two days are exactly alike. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me focused, and it keeps me feeling fresh and creative. And I love that even the frustrations present themselves as challenges for personal growth and increased faith that God is truly in control. At least that's the attitude I strive toward. I admit that sometimes I fail and forget my greater purpose. We all do. But on my good days, I remember to stop and look up, embracing the fullness of the life my Father has given me.

What is it in your day-to-day life that God puts before you as a challenge for growth and increased faith? Are you willing to accept that challenge, or merely accept defeat by it? Today and each day, I urge you to stop and deeply breathe in all that is before you. And as you exhale, remember these words from our Lord in Jeremiah 29 (in my paraphrase): "I know the plans I have for you -- to prosper you, not to harm you. They're plans for hope and a future. Call out to me and pray to me. I promise to listen. Seek me with your whole heart and you'll find me. You will find me."

she brought the jokes

One of our lovely janitors claimed shock on Tuesday morning when she saw me at work. Apparently, she'd not expected me in for the rest of the week. Surprised by this, I asked how she'd come to this conclusion. That was my fault and I take full blame. Her priceless response to me was this: "Well...I saw how cleaned off your desk was -- and it's NEVER cleaned off -- so I thought surely that meant you wouldn't be in for a while. It surprised me so much!" Thanks, Isabell. You're a peach.

in the dark

Do you ever have that proverbial "in the dark" feeling where you're not quite sure what's going on around you? Well forget that. This story revolves around actually being in the dark.

Yesterday, Thursday, was my day off. Since I have a busy weekend of work-related activities, I knew I needed to keep my Thursday for me. I had a glorious day of sleep, catching up with friends, and watching a movie. Since the college girls Bible study that I'm helping with had its first meeting scheduled for last night at 7:30, I decided to hop in the shower around 6:00 and get ready. I was mid-shampoo, humming a little ditty, when it happened:

THE POWER WENT OUT!

Let me back-track just a bit to tell you I was rather chilly and had closed both doors to my bathroom to lock in the heat and steam. So when the lights went out, it was seriously dark. I couldn't not condition my hair so I felt around for the conditioner bottle and proceeded with my shower. (In case you were wondering, closing your eyes does not trick you into thinking you are willfully in the dark.) After a final rinse, I was able to find the knob to turn the water off, find my towel, and find my way to the door -- all with only a modicum of bruising as I bumped into corners, walls, and door knobs. Excellent.

I have to say, I did not put my best foot forward when I stepped out the door. Turns out my look is rather depenedent upon the aid of electricity and I have no doubt that I would fail miserably as an Amish woman.

I also just remembered that I left my dinner in the oven. It failed to cook completely due to the power failure so I didn't get to eat it. But since it had begun to heat, I decided to leave it in the oven till I got home so it could cool before putting it back in the fridge. By 10pm, I'd forgotten about it altogether. I'll have to dump it in the trash when I get home tonight. Ew.

Do things like this happen to anyone else?

ugh!

As it seems I've been operating with a higher level of stress than usual, I thought staying in my home all day Thursday and actually taking my day off from work would be good therapy for me. That is, until I started driving to work this morning.

I must have missed the memo about it being National Drive Like An Idiot Day.

Not one person driving near me seemed to have their head screwed on straight. We had people flicking cigarette butts out into the grassy shoulder areas while we're in the midst of a burn ban. We had people driving 20 miles under the speed limit for seemingly no reason except to annoy others. We had a truck going so fast that the empty water jugs that had not been properly secured within the bed were flying out onto the street, nearly causing several collisions. We had drivers on their cell phones, not paying attention to their surroundings. We had a lack of yielding, lack of turn signal usage, and multiple instances of sudden and unwarranted braking. By the time I got to work, I had seriously begun whether this was my cue to return to small town living.

The drive home proved no better. I am considering writing to the powers that be with a suggestion for a new motto, as "Drive Friendly The Texas Way" seems completely inaccurate and untrue. Ugh!

communion crackers and comedy

This past Sunday, things were going well. Despite it being the start of spring break, all my teachers had shown up. The kids seemed happy. There were no parent conflicts. All was right with the world. I went into worship feeling a great sense of peace and gratefulness for God blessing my life and was excited to praise, pray, and commune before heading over to SONshine Worship with my K-2nd Graders. And then it happened.

I was passed the communion tray with the pretty white doily and...nope, that was it. Just the pretty white doily. There was no cracker! I tried to get the attention of the server but he was very focused. Finally, I decided to extend my shiny silver plate, hoping it would stir his senses like a little rodent animal who hoards shiny things. Indeed it did. Out stretched his hand to collect my tray. I caught him by surprise when I retracted my tray. As if to say, "What?! This isn't protocol!" he looked me in the eyes, wondering what shennanigans I could be up to during this sacred time. At last, I had his attention!!! I pointed out the lonely doily with nary a garnish of Matzo but he didn't get it. So in a hushed whisper, I had to explain that there was no cracker. He looked at me, shrugged, and broke off a small square of cracker from another tray, tossed it in mine, and went about his business.

Perhaps he was saddened that he could not pass my tray, that I'd held up the show, that the guy on the other side would now have to go out of his way to retrieve my tardy tray when it finally reached the end of my pew, for the rest of their trays were rows and rows back by now. But he didn't even crack a smile at the humor of the situation. I was disappointed.

Trying to get back into the mindset of communion, I felt poking at the back of my shoulder. I turned to investigate and saw the white corner of a membership card as it made its way over my shoulder and into my lap. On it, a note. It simply said, "Budget cuts demand we leave every 4th plate empty." Who was the mysterious person with a quick wit and humor? None other than one of our elders! I felt a strong sense of pride at that moment. I heart this church....