A Cleaning MiSSION Statement?
We attended a “family mission statement” workshop once, twenty some years ago, through our church. It was quite practical, and I could see the value in the exercise of hashing out goals and standards with ones spouse to create an all encompassing statement of the total sum of everything that matters most to you. In all honestly though, my husband and were pretty locked and loaded in our goals and values. Writing it out was beneficial, but we did not need the preliminary work of narrowing down our values into something we agreed on. We already agreed. I think we wrote something down on a scrap of paper, maybe half heartedly.
Where I personally struggled for a clear mission statement was the raging war inside me to do both everything and nothing at the same time. This was most apparent in my relationship with my home. My inner dialogue argued over the value of the mundane vs. the meaningful. I would let things go too long without attention then go full on Rambo rage clean. Any “Rage Cleaners” here? In fact, I participated in several different “challenges” of cleaning and organizing to “whip myself” into shape. I would feel guilt for not sitting to read with the boys when I was cleaning, but if I was reading I felt guilt that the dishes were pilling up and the beds were left unmade. Mind you, my house was never gross, just not as perfect as I wanted it. I desired so much to settle the warring in me to find peace in my homemaking. One day, in a moment of ugly honesty, I complained to my husband that I had to help my mom all day and accomplished nothing at our home. He made some gentle comment about having a “Mary heart on a Martha day”. This pinched my spirit a bit. So I grabbed my Bible to re-read the account of this.
“But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40 (NASB, emphasis mine)
She was distracted, focused on something else. Ok Martha, I get you. I see you. I feel seen.
Listen to the way Jesus answers her. He could have said many things, such as, “Girl! Get your priorities straight!” or, “Mary is right and you are wrong. Come listen to me speak and leave the dishes”. He answers her with understanding and correction.
“But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things” Luke 10:41 (emphases mine)
“Martha, Martha”…where else have we seen repetition of a name? Throughout Scripture there are a few times, God to Moses, Abraham, the “many people” in the “last days who will say Lord, Lord”. This repeating of the familiar (or common) name indicates intimacy. In essence, Jesus repeting her name, “Martha, Martha,” is a picture of tenderness. When Jesus rebuked Martha He delivered the correction in the most tender way possible. He acknowledged her worry without telling her she was the wrong sister. Scripture does not make any hint that he implied that her worry was not justifiable. Serving was needed, and Martha was probably an excellent host. This dialog was not a contrast, but a comparative analysis. What Martha was doing was good, but there was a better, higher “doing” that needed to be focused on.
“But one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (emphasis mine)
What is the higher calling? The one Mary was undertaking.
SO beating myself up does no good. But what is actually necessary? The love of Him first, then wrestling my pride into submission to let go of perfect, but also work diligently as unto the Lord to create a productive and welcoming home. This “balance” will take some work, and some intentional focus. It was Martha’s annoyance with her sister (idly laying about and eating bon-bons apparently) that was her issue. There was nothing wrong with Martha’s work. It was that she forgot, at the moment, what was necessary. The Son of God was in her home. God in flesh was at her table. Yet the preparations of serving others was her “worry”, and somehow listening at the feet of her Savior seemed less important. And that sister! Oh. Mary must be the baby of the family. I often think if I was one of those sisters I would have been Martha.
I remembered that Mission Statement workshop we had taken a few years prior. I wondered why, if my relationship with my home was a 24/7 relationship, my obedience to spend time with my family, in the Word, and serve others in my home was also an ongoing relationship, why had I never created a type of “mission Statement” for that relationship? I set out to write a mission statement for “WHY I CLEAN”. If we surveyed a hundred women and asked them “why they clean” I would venture to guess that most of them would simply reply, “because it has to get done.” This is true. It does need to be done. Yet it needs to be done without worry (Martha!), and with focus on the higher, (Mary), and as unto the Lord, with excellence, and reflect the priorities of our hearts and lifestyle. Having a Mission Statement for my relationship with my home has served me well for many years now.
Attached Here is a printable version of that Mission Statement. I keep a copy of this on my phone to refer to when my attitude gets a bit too saucy and needs a refocus. I kept a framed copy of this in my pantry for a long while too. I hope you enjoy it, and I challenge you to think of a task that gets you all “Matha-ish” and work out a Mission Statement of your own. I would LOVE to read your Mission Statement!
