I love lists. They keep me focused and organized. They let me know what needs to be done next. Lists help me remember to do something. If it’s not on the list, just forget about it! I love the sense of accomplishment as I complete tasks on the list.
On busy weeks, lists are my best friend. They keep me sane! They help me prioritize my day. I can pick and choose the most important things that need to get done.
This weeks is one of those weeks that the work seems never ending.
Saturday we have an all-day event for our teens. Being the wife of the Youth Minister, the planning of meals and shopping fall to me. While I love doing these things, I can also get overwhelmed quickly.
It’s easy to get wrapped up into all the things that need to get done and feel burdened by the lack of time I have to complete everything….especially when I have a certain 11-month old who has needed a little extra attention this week.
Yet in all this, I was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus was coming to their house. As he came “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40).
Even though hospitality was most likely a gift Martha had, she lost the joy in serving. Why? She lost focus on what was truly important. She missed the importance of taking the time to sit at Jesus’ feet.
While the work I have to complete for Saturday does need to get done, my first priority is to sit at the feet of Jesus, to soak up His Word and reflect on what He would have me do that day.
When Jesus is my first priority, everything else just seems to fall into place. And if it doesn’t go quite as I planned…well, I have a better attitude to handle it. After all, my focus isn’t on me or the amount of work that I need to do. Instead my focus is on Jesus and what He would have me accomplish.
by 
