Hands down, I am a Martha! The scene in The Cat in the Hat where the Cat is juggling twenty
objects while standing on a ball sums up my daily life- I love being busy- I thrive on having five different projects going at one time. Yet, I often catch myself at the end of the day falling asleep while praying or jumping into a task before I take the time to pray about the best course of action.
In the story of Mary and Martha, one of the key messages is that it is important to find balance in life- the house needs to be cleaned, dinner needs to be made, lessons need to be prepped, the master schedule needs to be developed, the budget needs to be finalized- the daily things can quickly consume us and distract us from rest, recuperation, and spending time in the Word. Martha was so focused on preparing a meal for Jesus that she forgot to spend time with Him. Mary, on the other hand, knew that it was more important to listen to Jesus' words than to worry about the meal.
It is important to find balance between work and rest. We need to make time for the students and their families, but also need to make time to be still. This means taking time to relax, recharge, and connect with the Word. When we find balance in their lives, we are better able to be present for their students and their families.
If, like me, you are a Martha, carve out time this summer to rest, recharge, and reconnect with your heavenly Father. Yes, the feelings of guilt can easily creep up- feeling like you are not being productive enough or that you won't be prepared for the start of the school year. But these feelings can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Just like Mary, make time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His words. Taking time to rest and recharge, both physically and spiritually, you will come back to school feeling refreshed and ready to meet the challenges of the new year.