Interesting that you say this -- I just preached a few messages this past weekend on a retreat and used Martha several times as illustration.  I got my ideas from the book, "Falling in Love with Jesus" by Kathy Trocolli & Dee Brestin.

One thing I always point out about Martha - she was not a bad person, nor completely off.  Many things ARE needful.  (If it weren't for Marthas, the world really would fall apart!)  Who would get anything done?  But the point of the whole thing is - unless we have spent time being "Mary" first, we don't have the strength to be Martha!  It's a matter of keeping practicing the presence of God as priority in our lives.

I think sometimes you hear a message about Mary/Martha and people crucify Martha like some horrible woman who was just a workaholic.  That's not true.  Martha was a servant, and she did what she did out of love, only she needed to prioritize spending time with Jesus more.

All about balance!  (Something we're all still learning.)

Love you guys,

me