My kitchen is clean. Laundry is almost caught up. We have food in the fridge. I don’t have a to-do list to follow. This is weird. I’ve been procrastinating a lot less since I decided to not rely so much on my to-do lists. See, I usually write things down so I won’t forget to do them. I found an even better way to not forget is to just do the thing right when I think of it. The less things I put off, the less I have to remember. It’s fantastic.

Rushing around and playing the martyr (”Oh, I have so much to do! Busy, busy busy!”) is a state that feels normal to me, but I don’t want to be that person. If I can manage to kick the procrastination and to-do list habit, eventually it will feel normal to just do the important things when they need to be done and let go of the things that aren’t as important if I don’t have the time. It will be like… a way of life. Wow. What a concept.

Our pastor gave a great sermon last Sunday on the Mary vs. Martha story. Luke 10:38-42. We all have a bit of Martha in us, that person who is so concerned with what needs to be done that we forget what’s really important. We forget to focus on the things that are eternal. Pastor Rod calls this “Martha Mania” and he says there are four signs to look out for:

1. Frustration - “There’s so much to do, so little time.”
2. Feeling like a victim - “Why do I always get stuck doing this?”
3. Exaggeration - “This is going to take me all day!”
4. Blame - “If so-and-so would do what they’re supposed to…”

I have experienced all of those multiple times over. I bring it on myself, for sure. Pastor Rod gave some great suggestions for overcoming “Martha Mania”:

1. We must learn the grace of silence
2. We need to sit at the feet of Jesus
3. We need to establish a consistent time to listen to God with a consistent place and a consistent strategy
4. We need to make time to be with God
5. We must learn the pace of simplicity
6. We may need to cut some things out

What I need to remember is this: SLOW DOWN. Focus on eternal things, things that really matter. Align my calendar with my priorities. Make time for God, family, and friends.

“Simplicity is freedom, busyness is bondage.” ~Richard Foster