Mary and Martha

I've always been more of a Martha than a Mary. I tend to get caught up in all that I have to do and forget to concentrate on the more spiritual aspect of my life. This leads to a lot of discontent, and to a lack of power in organizing my tasks and caring for my family. And then something strange happened -- a third woman emerged.

Hi, my name is Nellie.

While Mary is sitting at the Master's feet and Martha is preparing the meal and setting the table, Nellie is scrambling around, trying to decide what should be done next. She wants to set the table, but she can't because the dishes are all dirty. She decides to wash the dishes, but can't because the counters are dirty. So she cleans the counters, unloads the dishwasher, and then realizes that she hasn't checked her e-mail. So she heads over to download her e-mail, rationalizing that it will only take her a minute, but twenty minutes later, she still hasn't loaded the dishwasher to prepare for the meal that hasn't even been made yet.

When we let our priorities get out of control, first it's just a sad thing. Then it becomes inconvenient, and soon, it's debilitating. We aren't able to get anything done because we don't know what thing we should do first.

However, when we put Christ at the forefront of everything we do, He gives us the guidance to know what to do with the rest of it. He'll inspire us how to fit it all in our day, what things we can delegate, and what things we can get rid of altogether. By tapping into His power, we then have the power to control our lives, instead of our lives controlling us.

So, here I sit, Nellie, making a pledge to do whatever I can to draw closer to the Savior and ask Him how to organize my days. Maybe then I'll be able to find my counters.