Earlybird Martha

"Awaken the dawn"

It seems that Martha and Mary (from the Bible) have made themselves a comfy little spot in my life lately. Everywhere I go I hear about them and even when I sit down and open my Bible, somehow I end up at their stories over and over. I didn't used to care much for them, mainly because I found Mary annoying. Just being honest. Obviously, I'm more of a Martha and she seems to have a bad reputation. Recently, however, I've discovered what a misconception of mine that has been! Who is the one who opened up her home to Jesus in the first place? (Luke 10:38) Who is the one who went to the edge of town to meet Jesus as he was coming to raise Lazarus? ...And made a confession of faith uncommon to many people in Jesus' life? (John 11:20, 27) Who served Jesus at a dinner given in His honor? (John 12:2)

The answer is: not Mary.

I don't need to defend Mary. Jesus already did that. There are those who seem to have the ability and time to just sit at Jesus' feet constantly. Good for them. I am in no way bashing that, I just don't understand it completely. We already know Mary gets the spotlight in that story. After that event, in the passage that mentions the dinner in honor of Jesus, Mary gets the spotlight again as she is the one anointing Jesus' feet. This is very symbolically significant in that culture since he is about to give his life and Jesus says some pretty deep things about that. My point is, we see Mary doing her thing again, at Jesus' feet. But we also see Martha doing her thing, and although I know it's just a little phrase tucked in there, in my opinion it doesn't seem like a negative comment.

"Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with [Jesus]" (John 12:2)

I'm realizing that serving, working, planning, organizing is not the issue with Martha. It's the focus in which these things are done. Back to the first time we hear about Martha and Mary:

"....but Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made... 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one things is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" (Luke 10:40-42)

Distracted. Worried. Upset. I'm pretty sure those describe my feelings and focus throughout any normal day on a regular basis. So, I'm guilty. But how? HOW does one sit at Jesus' feet and still get dinner on the table, you know? HOW can I listen to Jesus and ignore the three little voices whining for another snack or fighting over the same toy? If there is a question I hear young moms ask more than anything, it has nothing to do with child-rearing or parenting. It's how to have a consistent time with God in this crazy season of life.

Well, I offer you a humble testimony. I do not, in any way, intend for this to be everyone's solution. It may work for you or it may not. It's just my story.

At the beginning of each year, our church, like many others, does a 21 day fast to start off the new year with fresh spiritual focus. Since I was nursing my third child at the time, I didn't feel like a food fast would be a good idea this year, so I was asking God if there was anything else I should fast. During one of those first Sunday morning services of the year, I kept getting "5 a.m." in my head over and over. FIVE A.M.!! Not what an already sleep-deprived mom wants to hear. Not to mention, I had never been nor had the intentions of being a morning person. Ever. I maybe could have counted on one hand the times I've actually seen the sunrise. If I could remember them, that is.

Well I decided to at least try. The first morning, I got up and poured myself a cup of coffee from my programmable coffee pot (an unquestionable part of this routine) and had a great time reading and journaling until the sun and my children rose. It was great. It also wasn't repeated for another few weeks! I tried but with some travelling and different circumstances thrown in there, January came and went and I got maybe a few successful early mornings. When February started, I still felt like I should keep trying. In God's amazing providence, my husband who has worked night shifts for years got switched to day shift! That meant that he started getting up at 5 a.m. too! Two is definitely better than one. Especially when the second person is a sweetheart of a man who makes eggs and bacon for you every morning!! This is where you may be tempted to stop reading. I know, I'm terribly spoiled. And to make it worse, because of this I now officially get up at 5:30, not 5:00.

But you guys, I say this in total amazement at how good God is: I've done it! I've become a morning person! I never, ever, ever, EVER thought it would be possible for me to actually like this, but I do. I'm addicted. WHEN in a moms life are there ever a couple uninterrupted hours to pray, read, journal and have coffee? Before the kids wake up! Yes, the very idea seems ridiculous at first, but I LOVE this time I have now. And what's amazing is that I'm not more tired the rest of the day! In fact, I'm more productive. I have a better attitude and more patience. Because I am a natural perfectionist I've learned to not set impossible expectations like doing something 7 days of the week, because I will undoubtedly fail and give up. So I don't do it every day. It's almost the end of May and I've been getting up early at least 3 times a week since February. Compared to waking up to little people crying and then dragging myself through the whole day, I feel amazing, energized, excited. All because what Jesus says is true after all.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me...whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Luke 12:29-31

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 1 Peter 1:3

Everything I need for life is in Jesus. All I need to be a better wife, mom and human being is in knowing Jesus more. I can't afford not to. And this is what bring me back to my friend Martha. We who are like her, made to think best through lists, planners and labeled bins, have a default setting to worry, to be weary, to set our hearts on stuff and logistics and problems. We need a Mary heart, set on Jesus, in order to operate with our Martha gifting (because it is a gift) out of an overflowing healthy place. The Lord is faithful and it is SO amazing what he can do with our needs and desires when we allow him to, instead of trying to meet our own needs with our feeble strength.

So whatever it may look like for you, I hope this is an inspiration to not give up on time with the Lord, even in these crazy season of raising kids. I have a feeling that every season is going to have some level of crazy to it. It's not just going to be over and we'll suddenly have all this time! Pursue a time and place where you can make this happen and don't give up until you're addicted. Until you love it. Because believe me, you won't right away, but if I can miraculously turn into a morning person, anything is possible! :)