How shall I describe it for my all my non-teacher friends? It's like waking up earlier than your alarm, only to realize you have an extra hour to sleep! It's like discovering an extra chicken nugget in your Chick-fil-A 8-count meal! It's an unexpected little jewel that can lift a teacher's spirits--because it provides us with the chance to get our heads above the water once again--and in this case, the "water" I'm referring to would be paperwork, cleaning, organizing, planning, communicating, emailing, and so on and so forth.
All that to say--I'm a huge fan of Mondays! And so, with a fire beneath my feet and a gust of wind in my sails, I set out to make the absolute most of this particular Monday.
I kicked off the hour by cleaning up the debris (aka materials) from that day's lessons--which had been scattered like shards across desks, tables and floor surfaces. Then, it was time to organize and file what seemed like a million assessment papers. I use these to track student progress and understanding during every lesson (roughly 5 lessons a day, multiplied by 5 days of procrastination, give or take...it's a lot of papers to sift through!).
Following that trite and tedious endeavor, I set out to prep a "center activity folder" for each student, filled with two weeks worth of center-time activities. This meant taking a field trip to the copy machine (During which time I realized I was eating for two!! So, naturally, I had to carve out a few minutes for a snack break!). Then I darted back to my classroom to sort, stack and staple the copies together. Up next on my agenda was to plan out my lessons for the following day...
And beyond that, the list just continued--that nagging, all-too familiar, all-too demanding, never ending, no good "to-do" list. You know the one.
Like a pinball, I spent the remainder of my afternoon bouncing wildly from one task to another, only to be greeted at home by a load of neglected laundry, a sink of needy dishes, and a dinner that refused to cook itself!
The reality of it is, that in each facet of my life, I am confronted by an ever-growing stockpile of obligations. And, admittedly, my spiritual obligations tend to get buried and lost somewhere near the bottom.
This realization has led me to a place of raw confession. Over the past month or so, I have been consistently and knowingly forsaking the one thing that is necessary for me to do, in the midst of all my other "to-dos".
And what is the one thing necessary for me to do, as well as for every other follower of Christ to do? What is more necessary than any professional duty, any home keeping responsibility, and any social commitment?
Jesus himself has an answer for this essential question. The answer is nestled ever-so profitably within the story of Martha and Mary:
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
I can definitely relate to Martha in this scene. She's so consumed by her "to-do" list that she is unable to consider her guest list. It is Jesus himself in her midst! Her creator! Her ever-present help and everlasting hope. And He's stirring her hear to remember that He as the one thing necessary for her! How could Martha not position herself expectantly and enthusiastically at the Lord's feet like her sister, Mary, had?
And if Jesus is the one thing necessary for me--for all of us--then how could I not do the same?
As I read this story on Monday evening, my eyes literally began to well up with tears. They weren't tears of remorse--rather, I was moved to tears by how perfectly and delicately the Lord had used this story to help realign my own distracted heart. Hannah, Hannah, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.
One thing is necessary.
It is now Saturday. This phrase has been replaying in my mind all week long and I can honestly say that it has blessed me in such an unexpected way.
It's blessed me as I've raced the clock to prepare for the next lesson I'd be teaching: Yes, Hannah, this needs to get done, but remember, only one thing is necessary.
It's blessed me as I've rushed to compile various forms and files for parent/teacher conferences: Yes, Hannah, this needs to get done, but remember, only one thing is necessary.
It's blessed me as I've come home to the Mt. Everest of laundry in my closet: Yes, Hannah, this needs to get done, but remember, only one thing is necessary.
How incredibly freeing!
So much to do, so little time to do it--isn't that the familiar adage? Well, I think Jesus' words in Luke 10 admonish us to adopt a more accurate variation of this rather uninspiring and paralyzing expression. Let's aim to think of it this way instead: So much to do, so little of it worth our worry.
Are you troubled about your "to-do" list at work? Remember, one thing is necessary.
Can't keep up with your "to-do" list at home? Remember, one thing is necessary.
Has your social "to-do" list been propelling you toward permanent introversion? Remember, one thing is necessary.
I'm not suggesting that we completely start to slight all of our obligations--after all, the word of God instructs us to work heartily in whatever we do, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23-24). If there are things to be done, by all means, let's make it our aim to get them done! However, let's not make it our habit to get them done at the cost of forsaking the intimate, invaluable time that we all need to spend with Him.
Let us learn to reserve the top of our "to-do" list for the one thing that is necessary--Jesus Christ himself--with minds set above.
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