Brian's Brain (aka Brian Mayer)

Martha is the quintessential hostess. She throws herself into the task of hospitality. If you’ve ever hosted a party, a baby shower, or even just friends for dinner, you can identify with Martha’s brain space: the constant list-making, the purchasing, the preparation, the cleaning, and the cooking. Why do we immerse ourselves in this frenzy? Because we want it to be perfect. We want to impress the guest—and in Martha's case, the guest was Jesus, the Son of God.

When you're arguing with your spouse over something you believe you "need," pause and ask the Lord: "Why do I truly want this, and what do you want for me?" Acknowledging that God gives us everything we need is the first step toward finding contentment and stopping the disagreement.

Think about that. The origin of the conflict isn't the trash can; it's the internal battle raging inside each of us. It is the clash of two separate, self-centered desires that often turns a simple disagreement into an all-out war. It’s the voice inside saying, "I want what I want, and I want it now."