To be active does not mean to be productive

Thought: Don't mistake activity for achievement. Busyness does not equal productiveness.

Biblical text: "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had been made. She came to Him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.'" (Luke 10:40-42)

In April 1973, the Park Centre YMCA in Midland, Texas, USA, asked for volunteers to help repair seventeen run-down homes in the city. The effort was so successful that Midlanders made it an annual event. After volunteers had completed repairs on one home, the owner opened her front door and exclaimed, "It's just like Christmas in April." The name stuck."

Christmas in April" has not only made hundreds of homes more liveable in this West Texas oil town, but it helped bring the city together. Men and women, young and old, black, Hispanic, and white volunteers build community spirit as they scrape, caulk, plaster, paint, hammer, and roof together. Said one volunteer, "It's a blessing to us as well as to those we help. There's no better way to get to know someone than to sit up on a roof with him or her all day."

One year 398 gallons of paint, 600 pounds of nails, 224 squares of roofing materials, 60 doors, and $10,000 of lumber were used to repair 84 homes.

Midlanders have learned how to be both busy and productive by pulling together to help others. In most instances of our lives, work need not be left undone or goals sacrificed. Priorities simply need to be realigned.