In the Hectic?

In the contemplative service today we explored themes based on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.  Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things,but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The challenge of when the gift of Hospitality conflicts with the gift of Attentiveness.

We discussed the need to carry the attentiveness of Mary into the business of Martha, so that the preparations we have to make do not become a distraction.

As part of the service we sang:

In the secret, in the quiet place

In the stillness You are there

in the secret, in the quiet hour I wait,

Only for You

'Cause I want to know You more.

I wonder if the second stanza of the song (which we didn't use this morning) should be rewritten as the following:

In the hectic, in the noisy place

in the chaos You are there

In the hectic, in the noisy hour I wait

Only for You

'Cause I want to know You more.

When we have Martha activity in our lives it does not mean we stop our Mary attentiveness. Instead we learn to carry Mary's attentiveness out into our daily world.