I'm Not Martha

Luke 10:38 (NRSV) Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

This is one passage in Scripture that I truly struggle with.

I guess I admired Martha for her industriousness, for wanting to put on a good spread for her guests. But she is rebuked, and told that she has made the wrong choice.
Boy, do I know that feeling!
As I've grown older, and I like to think wiser, I've read more into this passage, and its hit closer to home more and more. Martha is whining that her sister isn't helping her and not doing her fair share to serve their guests, she's just hanging out. I know that I most certainly am guilty of this-and not just when I'm having a party. I do it on a regular basis-no one ever helps me out, I do it all myself, blah blah blah. Its not really true-I am one of those lucky gals who has a husband who helps me out more than his fair share.
But its an attitude.
I was stuck in a cycle of whining and having a pity party of one. It was not a pleasant way to live. Nor was it fair to my family. I still have my moments, or days (like today)but they are fewer and far between.
Its not seeing the forest for the trees. You are so wrapped up in the current crisis in your life, and you miss out on the special moments. Being stressed and frazzled and never making any forward progress isn't any fun.
I don't think I'll ever be a Mary, its not my personality type. Even Martha made a change later in the Gospel and she chilled out. There is hope for me yet