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.
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