Being a Modern Day Martha

Ever feel like your to do list is overwhelming? I feel like my to do list is never ending. When I get two things done, four more things are added and most of the time, they take priority over the other things on my list. So now, I not only have added more tasks to my list, but now the priorities change. I feel like I am never getting anything done. 

This is how I get to start feeling like a modern day Martha. And no...not Martha Stewart like my husband thought. Martha from Luke Chapter 10. 

I feel like Martha. A to-do list a mile long and most of the time not getting the help I would like to get. I feel I am always trying to do everything perfectly and my to do list just keeps growing and growing. 

Oh to be like Mary. Sitting at Jesus's feet just to listen and learn. Using the opportunity to grow in faith. When I think of Mary, I think of her being the young, naive sister who has no cares in the world. She has that childlike faith that Jesus calls us to have. 

I tend to be a modern day Martha, focusing on the things of this world. But what I should be focusing on, are the things beyond this world.  I should be a modern day Mary. 

I need to focus on Christ and make it a priority. It is tough and life gets in the way. Here are some ways you and I can try to put Jesus back on the to-do list. 

1. Start every day with God. I found when I was doing this regularly, before the start of the crazy holidays {Christmas...a holiday that we should be focusing on Christ}, all of a sudden the to do list was getting crossed off easier. It was amazing what the correct focus at the start of your day could do for the rest of the day. I have been trying to get up before my daughter and read scripture or do a bible study. Some mornings I can easily manage and some nights are too rough that the mornings don't happen as easily for me. 

2. Create a Bible Reading Plan. I love this post by my friend Christie at Sparkles of Sunshine. She gave some tips on creating a Bible Reading Plan. I love how she keeps a journal of her readings. This is something I want to incorporate into my life.

3. Find ways to find God in your day. I notice what usually stops me in my tracks is that I don't have "time" to spend with God. What what I need to realize is that I don't need an hour of quiet time. I need 10 minutes in the morning while nursing to pray, I need to keep my Bible app near me {and open that app up instead of Facebook}for times I am waiting in traffic, I can memorize bible verses in the shower or while I do dishes and I can sing praise songs with my daughter all day. All of these times add up and are still times I spend acknowledging God. 

4. Remember that anything is better than nothing. I get it. Some days are just so overwhelmingly busy that you cannot even fathom how you would be able to give even 2 minutes to God when you can't even take a deep breath. I really get it. When you do have 2 minutes, find a verse you want to memorize or a parable you want to focus on {like Luke 10:38-42} and write it on some note cards. Stick one above your sink, on your dashboard of the car, in your purse, in the bathroom...anywhere that you might have even 1 minute to read it and reflect and maybe even send out a praise or prayer to God.

So who do you want to be? Martha or Mary? I am striving to be more like Mary. My house may not be the cleanest, my daughter may still be in pajamas until bath time, or I may not get my blog post up, but none of these worldly things matter. 

What are you doing to keep Christ a center in your life?