So, this past week, I’ve been feeling a little off-kilter. My house has been a complete disaster, and I just can’t seem to get caught up. I can’t get all of the things accomplished that I want, and as a result, I’ve been snippy and grumpy with my family. (what? me? never?)
I did a quick search for Scriptures dealing with balance, and look what jumped out at me:
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
There’s no doubt in my mind — I’m definitely a Martha. I can completely empathize with her, feeling overworked, underappreciated, and understandably miffed. I can totally relate to her — there have been so many times where I feel like I’m the only one doing any work, and I want to stomp my feet and yell. I’m undeniably Type A, running myself ragged.
My sweet husband, on the other hand, is Mary all the way. Calm, cool, and collected — when we have guests, he always goes out of his way to make them feel comfortable. He doesn’t get rattled, and I don’t think he sits around and stresses about getting things accomplished like I do.
Perhaps this is a good reminder for me to just sit back a bit, relax, and focus on the things that are most important to me. I need to be more cognizant of the blessings that surround me on a daily basis.
For our saint this week, I was inspired by a radio show I listened to on the way to work. One of my favorite Catholic bloggers, Jennifer Fulwiler, was a guest on The Good Fight. She has an amazing blog, and I’m so glad that she shares her story and gifts with us!
Jennifer loves St Frances of Rome, and after hearing her story today, it makes perfect sense! She was an Italian noble, born in the 1300s. She wished to enter a religious order, but followed her father’s wishes and was married at age 12. Instead of being bitter, she embraced her vocation as wife and mother. She is an incredible example of surrendering to God’s will, and leaving our own behind.
Her husband Lorenzo’s last words to her were:
St Frances is also the founder of the Oblates of Mary, a lay order of women attached to the Benedictines. I’ll be adding this beautiful prayer to my list, as a reminder of settinf my own will aside, and listening for God.
Be sure and link your own posts, and have a marvelous week!
I've been SUCH a Martha so far this weekend (spent all day yesterday at Morehead). I have no choice but to be a Mary today, though – we have no power in half our house – whatcha gonna do?