Mary and Martha

Our Bishop's wife taught us something that I needed to hear and thought was very special. She was talking about how when her husband was set apart as a Mission President that she was given a blessing, too. She was told that her calling was to be a "Martha" during their time in Italy. For those who are not familiar with the story, Mary and Martha were sisters and close followers of Jesus. One night when Jesus was with them, Martha was cleaning and cooking and trying to make everything wonderful for the Savior and Mary was not helping her. She was just sitting there listening to Jesus.

"But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:40-42.

We are often taught from this story that we need to be more like Mary and drop everything and listen to the guidance of our Savior. That is why when our Bishop's wife was told that her calling was to be a "Martha," she was surprised. She taught us though that there are times in our lives for both roles. As a Mission President's wife, her responsibility was to maintain a warm and inviting home for the missionaries. Cooking meals and cleaning and serving them. She likened that to motherhood. Mothers of young children need to be Marthas for the well-being of their little ones. It is more difficult to make it to the temple or to get in a good scripture study or just to find a still moment to listen to the Savior. They are in constant service of their family and that is exactly where they need to be. This helped me to see distinct times in my life when I was Mary and when I was Martha. This past year I have definitely been Martha, just trying to get by with work and school. But then I am reminded of a summer when I had a little more free time and I filled that time with peace and study. It was an appropriate time for me to be Mary and now as I approach graduation, I see an opportunity to be more like Mary again. However, when we move and Jordan is in school and the baby comes, I will take on the serving role of Martha and that will be my calling. Obviously, I think that we should try to let in the other role as well. During the Martha times, we can allow moments of Mary in and vice versa. But it was comforting to know that there are times in our lives when they are both "that good part."