The Moral of the Story

Cindy Trane Christeson

“Summer afternoon / summer afternoon; to me those have always been the

two most beautiful words in the English language.” -- Henry JamesSummer

is for sharing. Sharing time, sharing stories, sharing memories and

making new ones. But we all have work we have to do, no matter what

season it is, and sometimes I have trouble keeping my priorities

straight.

I am the kind of person who likes to check things off my to-do lists.

I’ve even written things that I already finished, just to feel like I’ve

accomplished more.

Sometimes I get so focused on the task at hand that I forget about the

people nearby. I truly care more about people than projects, but I’m sure

there are times I’ve missed opportunities to be with, listen to, or help

someone. This happens when I’ve ignored inner promptings that I’m sure

were from God.

God must have wanted me to work on that area by giving me a fun and busy

summer with people coming and going and phones and doorbells ringing.

At the beginning of summer, I read a Bible passage about Jesus visiting

two sisters named Martha and Mary. Mary focused on her guests while

Martha focused on details. Martha was unhappy that her sister wasn’t

helping her and asked Jesus to do something about it. Instead, Jesus

gently told her that though her priorities were good, they were not the

best for that time.

Since Jesus’ visit wasn’t going to be long, he cared more about enjoying

time with his friends than a spotless house or a flawless meal. He said,

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things.”

I thought about that many times this summer because I can get worried and

bothered about so many things. I had projects and deadlines to meet, but

I had people to connect with and two delightful daughters who were around

for a limited amount of time. I took advantage of every opportunity I

could to be with them. Ironically, the days when we could spend the most

time together were almost always the days that I had to turn in this

column. What started out as a short errand together often stretched into

an afternoon because we loved being together.

One afternoon while we were out and about, my daughter Kelly saw me look

at my watch and she said, “Oh, that’s right Mom, you have to get home and

finish your column. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time, but

thank you.””There is nothing I’d rather do right now,” I told both girls.

“I’ve been thanking God for this time, and asked him to help me meet my

deadline. I’m learning that when I feel God wants me to focus on people,

and I respond, everything gets done, even if it’s different than I’d

planned. It always seems to work out.”

“Mom, I think you ought to write about that because it’s so easy to miss

that point.”

That’s just what I’m doing. And the next time you find yourself checking

priorities, feel free to ask yourself the question I’ve asked this

summer, and that I will try to ask all year long. It is this: “Is this a

time to be a Martha or a Mary?”

And you can quote me on that.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently

to parenting groups. She can be reached via e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com

or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-#505, Newport Beach 92658.