Read: Luke 10:38–42
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to Him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” Luke 10:40
Martha felt neglected. She had been the one who had opened her house to Jesus and His friends, she had been the one who was serving as the hostess of this event, and it looked like she would be the one to clean up the mess when the evening drew to an end. This might not have been quite so irksome if her sister Mary were helping her out, instead of doing what Martha would have preferred to do—sitting with and listening to Jesus as He taught. Martha fumed as she began to do the dishes, and she wondered if anyone noticed, let alone cared about all she was doing. She let her work and her disappointment get the best of her. In the end, we learn Jesus would have preferred to have Martha do less and enjoy the company of her guests more.
When have you missed out on the joy of company because you were embittered by what other people were not doing to help out?
Dear Lord, if You were to come to my home, like Martha, I would have done all I could to prepare and provide for Your visit. I’d clean the house, set the table, make the meal, serve the guests,…and when I saw my company enjoying themselves while I slaved away, I might get annoyed. Help me to enjoy providing for others, and if I can’t, grant me the resolve to let the dishes sit for a moment while I enjoy the party I chose to host. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.