A Human Doing

It had been a particularly productive day and I was pleased with all the work I had accomplished. I got to cross so many items off my list, and completed some things that weren’t even on it.

My dear husband told me to sit next to him and take a break. "You are a human being, Love, not a human doing," he said.

I thought of one item that got carried over each time I made a new list. It was a project begun with several others who didn't give it much urgency at all. I had tried every way I knew to motivate them to act, but no one else made it the priority that I wanted to make it.

Reluctantly, I continued with the work, as best I could, without the help of the others. I felt driven to complete what had been started... even if it meant doing it alone.

Eventually, I was able to sit back and reflect on what I had painstakingly accomplished. It felt good, but I missed the satisfaction teamwork would have brought.

I imagined God saying to me, "(Martha, Martha), you are worried and upset about many things (Luke 10:41) . It's good what you have accomplished... But the emphasis isn't really on doing. It's not about productivity...

How did you treat the people you viewed as obstacles?"

Oh, Lord, forgive the taskmaster in me! I am concerned about many things -- and I do not eat the bread of idleness (Prov. 31:27 NIV), but let me never forget how important the people are! Please help me to model your great love and patience throughout all my interactions with others. Help me to more often make the choice that Mary did.