Don't
Let Busyness Steal Your Christmas Joy
By
Martha Stringer
I'm late…I'm late…I'm LATE! Street
light turn green now…now…NOW! Go,
buddy, go! What shade of green are you waiting
for? Oh, I hate to be late. And today I just
don't have time for it. I've got to drop these
cookies off at school. I've got to run to the
mall and pick out a sweater TODAY so I can get
it wrapped and shipped out TOMORROW before I've
got to pay more to mail it than its going cost
to buy it. Then it's off to the grocery store
to pick up cream of tarter. What is that stuff
anyway? And what's it doing to enhance the taste
and texture of the next creation of Christmas
confections I promised to supply for some sure
to be festive (NOT) function? Oh, that reminds
me. I've got to drop that blouse off at the
dry cleaners so I can look fetching at that
festive function. I'll do that after the mall.
The mall…parking there oughtta be fa la
la fun. I'm sure I'll have to stalk some weary
shopper as they wander around the lot trying
to remember where they parked. Here…? They'll
pause and fumble with their keys and my hopes
will soar. Yes! And so close to the entrance!
Then…no! They'll have a sudden revelation
and disappear between the rows leaving me with
no place to park. Oh, *#$&! (insert your
favorite Christmas shopping expletive here).
I don't have time for this! I bet that distant
relative sweater recipient will probably exchange
it anyway. What size does she wear again? I'm
sure it's on my list. Now where is that list…my
list….MY LIST! Oh, *#$&!
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset
about many things…"
I know, I know! I promised myself I wouldn't
do it…won't do it…WON'T DO IT! Yet
here I am another year, just like my Biblical
namesake, all tied up in the trimmings. Typical
Marthas. So frantically trying to preparing
our homes to celebrate Jesus' arrival we forget
to prepare our hearts.
I can just imagine Martha's house in the days
leading up to the event: Jesus was coming! And
this will be the best visit (Christmas) ever!
Everything will be just right: the house will
be spotless, the food will be gourmet and I'll
look like a million shekels! Hey…wait a
minute…do I have to do it all myself? Here
He is! But there's still so much to do. And
you're just sitting there Mary! Okay, you're
at the Lord's feet listening to Him, but still
- aren't you going to HELP ME?
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus said, "…but
only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what
is better, and it will not be taken away from
her."
Oh, Lord please, I want this year to be different.
Give me Mary's heart so I'll be free of the
merry madness this Martha-world tells me is
the reason for the season. As all the blanks
on the calendar are filled in, as the pressure
to perform peaks, as dust bunnies dance a jingle
jig under my tree, please no expletives. Help
me remember you…you…YOU are the reason
for the season.
Excuse me, Mary? Could you slide over? I see
some room there by His feet.
Martha Stringer is a freelance writer
living in Yardley, PA with her husband and three
children. In addition to editing and writing
a personal column for her church newsletter,
she works part-time for a non-profit, social
services agency. Contact her at MStringer1463@aol.com
