Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

That’s a Good Thing! Column for the weeks of March 14-20, 2004

last week | archives |

printer-friendly version

The cartoon had a little girl reading the Bible to a littler girl. She said, “While Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, Martha Stewart was busy setting the table, cutting flowers for the centerpiece, preparing a feast….” I don’t remember where I saw it but I found it soooo funny. Maybe it’s in the name, Martha. The Biblical Martha busied herself with much serving. Finally, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha. You are troubled about many things.” (Luke 10:38-42) And indeed, Martha, Martha Stewart is troubled about many things. Especially now that she has been found guilty of conspiracy, making false statements to investigators, and obstruction of justice regarding her suspicious sale of ImClone stock.

Martha Stewart made a fortune using the catch phrase, “It’s a good thing,” but she may have to change it to, “That’s NOT a good thing!”

Stewart pled innocent to charges of illegally selling her ImClone stock. She took the advice of her broker and sold her ill-fated stock. But since Stewart used to be a stock broker and knew the ins and outs of the system, that was NOT a good thing.

Although Stewart will probably remain involved in a creative manner, she may be stepping down from the board of her multi-million dollar company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. That’s NOT a good thing!

So far customers of Martha Stewart products remain loyal. After all, the woman does produce good, quality products. But if sales drop, that’s NOT a good thing!

In 1995 Martha told a television interviewer that dishonesty “bothers me a lot and I’m always amazed at how many people are dishonest.” The comments are tentatively scheduled to air on 60 Minutes II next week. That’s NOT a good thing.

Martha only made $50,000 on the sale of that ImClone stock and will probably lose millions because of her trial. It was like being penny wise and pound-foolish. That was NOT a good thing.

The judicial system was out to make an example of Martha. That’s NOT a good thing.

Although they won’t send her up the river to do hard time, Martha may have to do some jail time. That’s NOT a good thing!

Now here’s the thing that got her convicted. Lying! It’s hard to believe in this day and age when lying is so commonplace and a part of everyone’s everyday life that someone can actually be put on trial for it. She lied to federal investigators. Lying is NOT a good thing. God doesn’t like lying (Proverbs 6:17, 10:18; 12:22) and I guess the government doesn’t either, unless, of course, they are the ones doing the lying.

But don’t count either Martha out. God loved the Biblical Martha (John 11:5) in spite of her shortcomings and He loves Martha Stewart, too. (John 3:16,17) And he loves you and me, too. He loves who we are but not always what we do. Guess what? That’s a GOOD THING.

P.S. If Martha Stewart does go to jail, don’t worry. She’ll figure out a way to make some money on it. It will make great reading in her autobiography. I just hope she doesn’t pull a Pete Rose. That would NOT be a good thing!

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.