by Joanna Weaver
I finished this book, for the second time, a few days ago. I really enjoyed it, and know that I needed it right now. Sometimes I get caught up in the doing and forget the being. This is something I have to work on at times. Other times I have to be careful about not doing enough. Mrs. Weaver talks about this teeter totter in her book, and gives some wonderful advice about finding the balance.
Warning signs of a Martha Overload (p15)
1 – There should not be any limits to what I can do.
2 – I have the capacity to help everyone.
3 – I am the only person available to help.
4 – I must never make a mistake.
5 – I have the ability to change another person.
I have pages and pages of notes that I took from this book. She talks about worry, distraction, what the better part is, and how to get it. The great thing is she doesn’t come from a know it all position but from one who is traveling the path with us. She reminds us of great truths which we know and helps us apply them to our lives.
(p182-183)
Signs you need more kitchen:
- slight depression
- resentment of intrusion
- frustration over direction of life
- increased self-indulgence
- apathetic attitude
- low energy levelSigns you need more living room:
- irritability and frustration
- uncomfortable with quiet
- low joy threshold
- sense of isolation
- increased driveness
- sense of dryness and emptiness
Recently I have had several discussions with people about being Super Woman. Trying to do it all, and do it by myself, and do it perfectly. I have been struck with the knowledge that I can’t, AND I shouldn’t try. I’m also never going to be a Super Christian either. The most I can hope for is continually walking back and forth on the teeter totter trying to find the balance for my life for that day.
(p195) Somewhere deep in my heart I still harbored the hope that when I really gave my heart to Christ, I would pop out of a Holy Ghost phone booth completely clothed in blue and red – a sweet little skirt; a long, flowing cape; and a big S plastered across my chest for “Super Christian!” … You can imagine how relieved I felt when I finally got it through my head that Christianity is a process and not an event. It is a journey, not a destination.
While I’m not there yet (not a destination, remember) I did relearn a bit from this book. Many good timely reminders that if applied will only serve to strengthen my walk with the Lord.
My copy of this is within reach, and I just pulled it out…will look at this during the weekend. I’ve shared on my journal about a neighbor who is draining me dry. There’s a hard line between being helpful and being used….when we’re sometimes helping for the wrong reason, or the motivation isn’t from God, seems that troubles pop up.
That’s not say that the Lord only puts comfortable tasks in front of us, goodness no, but the Martha has to ask….is she doing this thing for God’s glory or her own?
My issue, like you bring up, is when I feel that I’m the only person who can ‘fix it’. Self-glory for sure. Ouch.
The older you get, the easier it becomes to have that balance….or maybe it goes….the older you get, the easier it becomes to see you are unbalanced. LOL. I’ve for SURE been in need of more kitchen the last several years.