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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, teach me to find things to do that my friends and I can all enjoy! Amen.

Jesus stopped to visit His friends Martha and Mary. Martha ran around cooking food for Him, but her sister, Mary, didn't help. She sat listening to Jesus. Martha complained, "Jesus, can't you make her help me?" Jesus answered, "You worry too much. Mary knows what's really important, and I won't yell at her for choosing it."

Getting together with friends in the summer is awesome -- except when you have different ideas about what to do. You might love swimming and being outdoors, while your friend says it's too hot and wants to watch a movie. Neither of you are wrong, but you're not alike in your thinking!

That could describe this week's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), too. Jesus visits Mary and Martha, good friends of His. Martha is all about the food, making snacks and wanting Jesus to be comfortable.

The only problem is that Martha can't understand why Mary thinks differently! Mary doesn't jump up and bring Jesus a cool drink or make food; she just hangs out with Him and listens to what's been happening in His life since they last talked.

Like one kid who likes the outdoors and another who likes air-conditioned comfort, both sisters have good ideas. It's nice of Martha to make food for Jesus. On the other hand, Jesus obviously enjoys talking with close friends who are good listeners, so Mary's being nice, too.

If you and a friend have different ideas about how to spend your time together, compromise is always good. That means each person gives up a little of what they want so both of you can be satisfied. Maybe you swim for a while and then see a movie, or find some other activity like a picnic in the shade that you both agree on.

Jesus seemed to lean toward Mary's side: He wanted time with friends more than snacks. But He didn't stop Martha until she complained. Jesus was good at meeting in the middle and enjoying the people He loved, whatever they were doing![[In-content Ad]]

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