Martha and Mary

I read Grace Gems quote yesterday morning titled "Devils in their homes" and last night read Luke 10 that talks about Martha and Mary. At first these two seemed contradictory but as I thought more, it makes a lot of sense. Here are both the quotes and then my thoughts:

Devils in their homes!(Thomas Brooks, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels" 1669): A true Christian will endeavor to obey God in relative duties. He will not only hear, and pray, and read, and meditate, and fast, and mourn--but he will labor to be godly in domestic relationships. Remember this forever--everyone is that in reality,which he is at home. Many make a great profession, and have great abilities and gifts, and can discourse well on any pious subject--whose homes are not little heavens,but little hells. Some are very much like angels in public, saints in the church, and devils in their homes! Domestic graces and duties do better demonstrate true piety and godliness, than public or general duties do. For pride, vain-glory, self-ends, and a hundred other outward carnal considerations, may put a man upon the general duties of religion. But it argues both truth and strength of grace, to be diligent and conscientious in the discharge of domestic duties.

Luke 10: 38-42 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."

My Thoughts: How often I am like Martha who was distracted with much serving and thus anxious and troubled about many things! Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her. Mary chose to be devoted to Christ and I often wonder if her thoughts, worries and busyness were ruled by that devotion. Is our Lord against domestic duties? I dont think so. My thought is that may be Mary was diligent and conscientious in the discharge of domestic duties with Christ as the center of her life. So when our Lord was in their home, it was natural for her to choose to sit down at our Lord's feet and listen to his teaching. How often I get busy with serving, in making elaborate plans and get caught up in becoming anxious and troubled about many things that are absolutely unnecessary. How often my devotion is lacking even when I sit down to read His Word or listen to a preacher or sing or to do domestic duties! Because I am distracted with so many unnecessary things. Domestic duties must be an outflow of my devotion to Christ and His word. Devotion to Christ and His word should lead to me to love my neighbour first (husband and children) and thus making my home a little heaven. Very convicting thoughts!!! Hope and pray that these convictions will be lived out.