|
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Mary
and Martha Surviving Christmas
If Mary and Martha lived today, Martha would be one of those women
on a mission to have the “best Christmas ever”. I imagine she would pour over the holiday issues
of Martha Stewart Living, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and Southern Living in search of another delicious recipe
or gorgeous decorating idea or the perfect last minute gift idea. Her shopping will be complete long before
Thanksgiving. By December 1st, her home will be decked out with multiple Christmas trees that
coordinate with their surroundings and her Christmas cards (possibly handmade ones) will be in the mail. A
beautiful nativity set will occupy a place of honor on her fireplace mantle. Multiple entertaining events
will be scheduled and a project plan will be in place so that each event will be executed to perfection. Contrast Martha’s sister, Mary.
Mary will be studying a special Advent devotional book, beginning each day with prayer time. She
will play Mary, mother of Jesus, in the church Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve. Her home is a little
messy, but that is not a big deal to Mary. The Christmas tree is decorated with a variety of ornaments
her children have made over the years, each one holding a special memory of a past Christmas. I guess it does not come as a big surprise to
anyone who knows me well that I am a dyed-in-the-wool “Martha”. And I have shared on many occasions
that I am working on being more like Martha’s sister, Mary. But here is my challenge.
Does it have to be an either/or situation? Can’t Mary and Martha coexist? I
certainly hope so because as much as I want to develop and nurture my “Mary”, I love my “Martha” and
the pursuit of the “best Christmas ever”. For me, the ultimate expression of “personal
effectiveness” would be to manage the tasks like Martha while honoring the meaning of the season like Mary.
Is that possible? Sure! The very best of Martha is what opens up the time and
energy to embrace Mary. Go for it! I am!
Take care, and as always, I would
love your hear your thoughts and comments.
|