Friday, December 17, 2010

DROP EVERYTHING

coffee
I  was cleaning the kitchen this morning when I received a text message from a good friend who lives about an hour South of me.  She said that she had a doctor appointment in my neck of the woods and asked if I wanted to meet for breakfast when she finished at approximately 9.  It was 8:30.  I was still in my jams, neither hair nor teeth were brushed and no make-up.  I had a long list of to-dos to get ready for Christmas.  My tree has been up for over a week and still isn’t decorated.  My house is in serious need of a visit from the cleaning fairy.  I have White Trash, Cinnamon Pecans and cookies to make.  I haven’t really begun to shop for gifts.  I have a pile of laundry to do after being away last weekend.  And I had this blog post to write.  (I did promise hope to write something every single day of this year.)
 
So of course I begged off stating that I had too much to do and promised to make sure that we get together soon, right?   NO WAY!  I quickly thanked her for the “heads up” (Where is my sarcasm font?) and said I’m on my way.


Fortunately, I showered before bed last night.  I pulled a pair of jeans out of the dirty clothes hamper (Don’t judge, people.  It’s not like I slopped hogs in them.) and put them in the dryer with a damp towel for 10 minutes.  While the jeans were de-wrinkling, I brushed my teeth, ran a curling iron over the ends of my hair and slapped on some make-up. I managed to find a clean sweater and the required Christmas necklace.   I retrieved my jeans, looking good as new by the way, put them on and was out the door. 

I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with a dear friend that lasted 3 1/2 hours.  (We had a lot to catch up on.)  On my way home, I decided to get my pedicure out of the way.  My Harley Stud called in the middle of my pedicure and asked if I wanted to ride along to Vero Beach where he had to visit a customer.  I finally made it back home at 7pm.   And so the to-do list crashed and burned.


One of my favorite Bible stories (because balancing priorities seems to be a problem for me) is the one where Jesus comes to visit Lazarus’ two sisters, Mary and Martha.  While Martha is busy preparing food, cleaning up and making sure that her distinguished guest has the best of every THING they have to offer, Mary sits with Jesus and visits with him.  She listens to his stories and enjoys his company all while Martha is slaving away in the kitchen (none too happy that she isn’t getting help from her sister.)  The moral of the story, of course, is that it is much more important to fellowship and love one another.  Who cares if the house is clean!
 
This year I’m going to have a merry Mary Christmas.  And I hope that you do too. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the lesson should not be lost.  Shouldn’t we all be sure to make time to make time with our loved ones at Christmas and all throughout the year?
 
How crazy is your holiday?  Will you have  a Mary Christmas or a Martha Christmas? 

11 comments:

Mike said...

I hope that you have a Merry Christmas also!

Liz Mays said...

No Martha ever! Plus I'm going back to Michigan to see my kids so it's all fun and games for me! I can not wait!!!!!

What's White Trash, by the way? (I assume you meant some sort of food?)

Brian Miller said...

rock on...sounds like you did the most important things...

Linda said...

Excellant post and reminder!! Of course no 'Martha' has ever lived here so a 'Mary' Christmas s inshore for sure!

Jules said...

Oh thanks for the "jeans-n-dryer" trick. I did not judge you for that one BTDT :)

A blessed Mary Christmas to you.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Arkansas Patti said...

I am planning on a "Mary" one but thanks for the reminder. It is way too easy to get caught up in preparations.
Enjoy your Christmas.

Lori said...

You are so right...so easy to get caught up in doing that we miss out on time with the people we love. So glad you didn't pass up this opportunity to spend time with your friend and then your husband. Thanks for the reminder! Happy weekend!

tulpen said...

I love when days play out like that, all unexpected and fun. Yay you.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Yep, this is a very good lesson and the perfect time of the year for a reminder to live in the moment.
Merry Christmas to you and I hope Santa brings you that cleaning fairy. If he does, would you send her to my house when you're finished with her :-)
Cheers, jj

cheatymoon said...

Now THOSE are words of wisdom.

(Other half and I are watching Jesus Christ Superstar on cable right now. Which is about as close to the Bible I've been in years. Not that I didn't have my time, but y'know...) :-)

xoxo

I'm so glad you had a friend-filled day.

Andrea said...

You are right...and I've never heard it put that way! I used to get so crazy with the pressure (my ex's mother was the original Martha, I'm sure, and he expected that of me!) but this is the 3rd year in a row I have refocused on Advent, refused to go crazy or even acknowledge the expectations "society" likes to put on people surrounding Christmas...it's so much better to be Mary...