A fresh look at working at home

"But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went in to him and said, "Lord, so you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42)
Let's take the example of Mary and Martha. This story has been looked at often as a story where Martha, although perhaps correct in her desire to prepare the house for her guests, it is Mary that Christ highlights as choosing the best portion at that moment. You see Christ rebuke her by saying you are busy about a lot of things, all of which I'm sure Christ saw the value in, but He says that one thing is important and Mary has found it. Perhaps this has greater application then just a Mary versus Martha choice. Maybe woman can glean from this that although we are do much at home, first, when Christ beckons, sit at His feet and listen. What we will learn through the work of the Holy Spirit will prepare us from the tasks of the day. How are we to worship God through our fulfillment of Titus 2:4-5 if we have not taken hold of the good portion that equips us for all things. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training is to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself or us to redeem is from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)."
We as women allow the command to work at home to distract us from "the good portion" of "sitting at the Lord's feet and listen[ing] to his teaching (v.39)." We become so busy around the house cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, playing with the kids, talking with our husband, and caring for the dog, that we often allow or even out right neglect our time spent with the Father. I have countless days where I get so much stuff accomplished inside and outside of the house that I have never get to the one who is the giver and sustainer of all I have. The one that is often left as the last task to accomplish is the one who has given all that I have to clean, cook, spend, and enjoy. How often I can let things that are before me distract me from Him who is "the good portion." Now, as I wrote about yesterday, I believe that there are many ways that we can worship God through our actions and choices as woman, but first he calls us to come and sit at his feet and listen to him teach. His grace as already appeared (a one time action), but it continues to train me in all the areas I am called to as a woman. He calls us and equips us for ever good work, but we must seek that daily grace first.