“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

Since returning to North Carolina, we’ve been running to and fro getting caught up with all that comes with functioning in another country. Having one foot in Haiti and another in the United States has challenges of its own. We are still getting ours and John’s car back up and running after sitting idle for a year, then they have to pass inspection. We have caught up with our personal taxes plus the yearly 990-EZ form for Rehoboth Ministries has been updated. Seems there’s an endless barrage of things to do. It’s easy for the list to drive us instead of us driving it. This morning, I’ve decided to get back in the driver’s seat.

I am a lists girl. I have lots of lists and enjoy checking off each item as it’s completed. Taking my pen and  marking through a goal gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Whether in Haiti or stateside, I quickly fall into the rut of agonizing over whether the list is completed or not. But, sitting on my sister’s back deck with my Bible in hand, I endeavored, like Mary, to give the Lord the better part of this morning. Soaking in the sunshine and the beauty of the outdoors, I breathed in deeply and started another list – this time of thankfulness. Then, I started praying for our family and the friend who’s having cataract surgery today and the leaders who are carrying the weight of the ministry on their shoulders in our absence. I prayed for Haiti and for our own country, for the multi-faceted needs of our ministry, … and *sigh* – as with all lists, it goes on and on. I walked through the back yard feeling the wet grass on my feet and entrusted those things that were too heavy for me to the One who runs the universe. I know in my heart that when I give the Lord the first part of the day that often my lists get checked off more quickly. It seems His grace is somehow multiplied upon the time that is entrusted to Him.

I wonder if you need to be reminded this morning, as I often am, to give the Lord the better part? Don’t worry. Our lists won’t be forgotten because the Martha nature in us will always be there to remind us of them. However, time spent with Him is never wasted and is time well spent.