Am I a Mary? Or a Martha?

I am, a we bit, O.C.D., about being efficient. OK, not a we bit, but A LOT a bit! Can this hurt me in the long run I ask you?!

The thought of, am I a Mary, or a Martha, crossed my mind tonight on my way home from a ward service project at the church cannery. We were packaging and labeling food for the city food bank, which by the way, is one of my favorite places to serve. Hence the reason I try to be as efficient as possible while working/serving, because it has the possibility of helping even more people. I wondered if I was missing out on the chance to better serve the people that are directly around me or was I missing out on my own spiritual growth opportunity because I was moving so fast? (not literally, metaphorically :)

On the same lines of moving fast, I have reflected on the past when I am helping to organize, set up, or break down any kind of event (church activities, big dinners, wedding receptions and social parties), that I might be missing out on opportunities to socialize, or to enjoy the spirit that is there. Am I so focused on being efficient and getting things done, that I miss out on something?

I do try to socialize as I work... well, sometimes I do. haha. And, yes, I am that annoying person, that when no one else will take the "I'm in charge role", I will. Which entails me moving around doing a little of everything. If you have ever heard of the "Color Code", I am pretty equal red and blue with almost no white or yellow. I love being efficient, but I love people too *grin*

It's funny, I'm trying to be more of a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl. It doesn't always work though. It's like I'm going against my own mind. I need order, which I don't think is a bad thing. It's when I can see only my way as the right way that there is a problem, but I am getting better at seeing other peoples ways too. (good thing right? That will come in handy when I am married! or so I hear) I'm trying to see other people's perspective of order. We don't all think the same, which is something I am really, REALLY thankful for! Imagine if everyone was like me or you. It would get kinda boring, huh? How would we learn if we didn't have different perspectives and life experiences?

Well, back to Mary or Martha. I am starting to believe that there is a time and a place for my O.C.D., in this case, my Martha. I just need to be more aware and listen for the Holy Ghost to guide me. Maybe, one event, I will be prompted to help get things organized or help for a quick clean up. Then, maybe another time, I'll be prompted to go and talk to, so and so, or to slow down and appreciate my surroundings and be like Mary.

Lesson learning in progress: Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost in ALL things, but also be conscious of my surroundings and what I can do too. If someone is standing alone, stop what I'm doing and go and talk to them, or invite them to join in and help. In a service setting, such as the food bank or cannery assignments, be okay with slowing down to get to know someone and enjoy their conversation. It's one of those things that sounds so simple, but the application of it isn't always so. Isn't that life though?


The story of Mary and Martha that I am referring to is in Luke 10:38-42 or click here for the KJV Luke 10