I am not a great reader. Compared to my husband who can read a novel or book in a few short days, sometimes it takes me months to finish a book.

One of the reasons is that I can’t seem to finish a book quickly is that I find other books with amazing titles that grab my attention. I start reading them and soon, I have three or four books I’m reading and not any of them are complete.

I have four at this time that I’m reading chapter by chapter, every fourth day. Don’t ask me why. I’m intrigued by each of them and it’s what I do. Here’s the list.

Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll.

Smart Women Keep it Simple by Annie Chapman.

Love Does by Bob Goff.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.

There is no rhyme or reason to how I read these books. I pick up the book I feel like reading at the moment and read a chapter.  However, the reason I chose to place Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World is because something caught my attention in this book.

If you remember the story of Mary, Martha and Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 (NIV), Jesus told Martha, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

Mary got it. Martha didn’t. Jesus had to tell Martha to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 – NIV)

There are many days that we need that same reminder. We need to focus on the one thing that is needed.

But here’s what caught my attention. The phrase, “only one thing is needed” also referred to food portions. Take a look at this quote.

“Perhaps in a subtle turn of words, Jesus was issuing two invitations:

• First, to know him—to put worship before work
• But also, not to overdo—even in our efforts on his behalf.”[i]

Mrs. Weaver goes on to say that in Jewish culture, they typically only used one common bowl placed in the middle of the table. Martha may have been a bit extravagant in her food preparation, so perhaps Jesus may have let her know that she had over done the whole meal. She was reminded to keep it simple. One thing.

And another quote by Charles Spurgeon. “Her fault was not that she served. The condition of a servant well becomes every Christian. Her fault was that she grew ‘cumbered with much serving,’ so that she forgot him and only remembered the service.”[ii]

It’s easy to get our lives out of perspective and out of balance. Even when it comes to serving Jesus. When our service keeps us from meeting our Savior face-to-face, we need to be reminded of the “one thing.”

We can’t do it all, but we can do one thing. As we sit at Jesus’ feet, blissfully drinking in all He has to offer, we are preparing ourselves to tackle the next one thing. It may be mudding-out a flood ravaged basement. It may be sitting beside a loved one in a hospital bed. It may be doing five loads of laundry today. It may be sitting at a computer all day.

Whatever your next one thing is, you’re ready. You’re prepared. And Jesus is right there with you reminding you of the one thing.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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