By nature, I’m a Martha.

You know the story, right? Jesus visits the home of sisters Martha and Mary. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens as He speaks while Martha busies herself with the tasks of hosting and grows frustrated that her sister is not helping. Expressing that frustration to Jesus, He replies back to Martha, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 Both of my wonderful parents were perfectionists, so I was doomed from the start.

My mother told me about my first day of kindergarten. Early that morning, outrageous wailing noises were emanating from my bedroom. She found me sobbing over…socks. That’s right. Socks! The “problem” was that I could not perfectly line up the seam at the toes. Horrors! And then, I was unable to fold down the tops of the socks so that each anklet’s width was perfectly matched to the other. No, I just could not go to school looking like a bum off a boxcar.

I am sure I gave my dear mother her gray hair and wrinkles.

As a natural Type A, striving has always been my game. Frenetic activity has filled my days as I have tackled my all-important to-do lists. All opportunities for service have enticed me. How could I say “no” to something so rewarding and exciting? And, of course, I would pile on the pressure of trying to do all things with excellence –  a good thing, unless you’re measuring blood pressure.

While my striving earned me top ribbons at the fair and made me a valuable employee, the underlying stress took a toll. Martha was not living an abundant life.

The transformation – the road to becoming Mary – came by way of an unexpected and unwanted gift. It came by way of pain.

Gift? Yes. Gifts come in all shapes, sizes, and descriptions. You see, my Savior wanted me to have “what is better” and what “will not be taken away.” He knew what it would take to slow me down, to cause my constant planning and doing to come to a screeching halt. He gave me no choice but to spend time at His feet, listening like Mary. As much as I didn’t like this plan of His, it was perfect. His plans always are (perfect).

All circumstances (yes, even suffering) are sifted through our sovereign Lord’s fingers for our growth and refinement. I have found a sweet, sweet place of fellowship with Jesus that tops anything my most fervent striving could have offered. And, unlike the temporary reward of ordinary busyness, this sweet place I have found will not be taken away. Ever.

Are you facing difficulty? Almost everyone is. Trials will either make you bitter (angry or ambivalent toward God) or better (peace, joy, eyes to see), depending on where you place your focus.

Slow down. Seek Jesus. Sit at His feet and discover what is better.  

Joy in Jesus,

 Mary..er..Jacquee  ?