May 3rd, 2014 
dsisler 
My kitchen
I’m in Kentucky for a quick family reunion and then clearing out the remaining items of my great aunt’s home. I will be super busy for the next five days and I will also be in an area where I won’t have internet access.
So for the next five days, you’ll be reading older posts. I pray that you will find great comfort and exactly what you need through the words on Full Measure of Joy. It’s such a pleasure to write for my Lord.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
The Hostess with the Mostess
I cooked a lot over the Thanksgiving holiday. It seemed like I was in the kitchen cooking or cleaning constantly. Of course I had a house full of people every day, so it was only natural that this was part of the hostessing.
Every day I would say, “I’m not going to cook tomorrow.” And then tomorrow would come and I would cook a meal, sometimes two meals. One day my son said, “I thought you weren’t going to cook today?” I just chuckled.
I then thought I’d have it made if I went back to work on the Monday after Thanksgiving. I would be free of cooking and cleaning.
I was wrong. I had volunteered to help cook our staff breakfast on that Monday morning…we started cooking at 7 am. And that evening was our staff Christmas party…I was the last person to leave after cleaning up all the mess 60+ people had created in my boss’ home.
Needless to say, I didn’t have a cook or clean-free day on Monday either.
I wonder if that wasn’t a little bit of Martha’s problem in Luke 10. Perhaps she had always been the one who cooked and cleaned in their home. If that was the case, I’m sure Martha knew that she couldn’t depend on Mary for help. But the problem was that Martha couldn’t seem to get past the issue.
I can hear Martha banging pans in the kitchen trying to get someone’s attention. Maybe Lazarus would come to her aid. Maybe Mary would begin to feel guilty and come to help. Maybe Jesus’ disciples would think to help. Or maybe Jesus himself would give some assistance to Martha. But Martha received none.
Finally, Martha had to come face-to-face with Jesus and make her complaint. She was fed up with the fact that there were many mouths to feed and no one would lift a finger to help her. She told Jesus to command Mary to help. “Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 – NIV)
That was a bold statement.
Jesus, in His kind-hearted way told Martha that He would not do as she asked. Mary had chosen what was better. To sit at His feet and listen to His words.
The busyness of this life will draw us away from what is better. Especially at this time of year. But if we don’t nip it in the bud, we’ll miss out on the very best this season has to offer. Jesus.
I must admit that my above statements sound like I’m complaining. Maybe I am a little, but to be honest, serving and being hospitable is what I do. It’s what I’m made of. I thrive on being the “hostess with the mostess.”
But here’s the thing. When I’m busy in the kitchen am I building relationships? When I was busy at our staff Christmas party making sure all the food was in the right place and set just perfect, everyone else was mingling and engaged in conversation. I wasn’t. I believe I missed what was better.
It will be difficult for me to step out of that role. Perhaps that’s why Martha had difficulty. When it’s part of our make-up it’s difficult to be something else. But I believe it’s what Jesus wanted of Martha and what He wants of me. To choose what is better.
What is causing you to keep your distance from others? Is there something keeping you from choosing what is better? I pray that you will find a way to put it aside. I pray that you will fall at our Master’s feet and listen to what He has to say to you today. It will be worth it and nothing else is more important than that.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
