Plexpedia - Mary or Martha?

Mary or Martha?

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Sitting at the feet of Jesus

Submitted By edith on 09/06/28

Inner Beauty, edith, Documents, thoughts, growing

This Document originally posted in the "Day by Day" Group

My mornings are usually pretty busy. I try to do as much outdoor work in the cooler morning hours as I can, although I don't always succeed in getting out that early (I'm not a morning person:). Often times, I don't get around to reading my Bible until almost lunch time. I know there's no real set time when you "have to" read your Bible, but it seems like early morning is the best time for having "quiet time". The world's just waking up, and everything is still and peaceful. I was letting my chores, busy work, computer, reading, etc. interfere with my quiet time. I was trying to justify it too, telling myself, "I have to get these things done. I'm sure God understands. He probably doesn't really mind when I do my Bible study, as long as I do it." I even thought several times, "He's probably really proud of me right now, doing all of these chores first thing!" But...I wasn't putting Him first. I was being a Martha, to concerned with my chores and duties to sit at Jesus' feet. To caught up in the "warm fuzzies" of getting my chores done first thing to spend the best part of my day with Him.

Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

There's nothing wrong with serving others and getting your chores done, but Jesus should always come first. My prayer is to be a Mary, instead of a Martha, sitting at the feet of Jesus.

In her talk at the 2006 Mother Daughter Tea, Annalisa quoted from a hymn, which really sums up what I'm trying to say...

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And, when weary, find sweet rest.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray,
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day.

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet.
Oh, look down in love upon me;
Let me see Thy face so sweet.
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus;
Make me holy as He is.
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

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Re: Martha or Mary?

Kellie (margery)

2009/06/28 - 17:06 GMT
(In Reply to Item)

Thanks, Tasha!

This is a very timely post, for I have the same tendency to try to do all of those little things in the morning, and neglect that which gives me the strength and the joy to make it through the day.

I had a thought I wanted to share while I was reading the passage about Mary and Martha. Sometimes I feel just the same way Martha must have, ''cumbered about much serving'' and wondering why no one cares that ''my sister hath left me to serve alone''! I tend to want to bid others to come and help with all of the work that needs to be done, and, though it grieves me afterwards, sometimes I am rather sharp with those who don't seem to be doing what they should. I have to remind myself that people, especially my family, are so much more important than any job at hand, however large or small. Sometimes I have to leave a job undone for awhile, if I can't do it without anger at the worthy individual who neglected to finish it before hand=)

''Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?

May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.''

I pray that, by learning to cheerfully balance the calling to sit at His feet, listening and learning, and working at the tasks He has given me, I may prove that He lives in my heart.

Thank you again for your encouraging words!

Love,

~Kellie~

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Re: Martha or Mary?

Natasha Marie (edith)

2009/06/28 - 19:02 GMT << In Reply to

You're welcome, Kellie:)

I'm so glad it was encouraging to you.

Yes, I'm a Martha in that area too. Getting grouchy, frustrated and angry because I'm "cumbered about much serving", and feel like I'm left to do it all alone, that no one else is trying to help. I've snapped at my dear brother so often, and I always feel so bad about it afterwards. Often, I'm just as guilty, if not more so, about neglecting my chores, especially dishes:)

Amen! That will be my prayer too, "to cheerfully balance the calling to sit at His feet, listening and learning, and working at the tasks He has given me, that I may prove that He lives in my heart."

Thank you for your encouraging words!:)

Love,

~Tasha~

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