A Morning Cup of Tea: Mary and Martha

Good morning! It's another beautiful day outside. Here in my neck of the woods it's going to be a warm day, especially for this time of year. "Mother Nature" hasn't quite decided whether its going to be warm or cold continually so we get both every few days, translating into a mild season. Personally I'm thankful for mild weather. There are more warm days than cooler so far so we don't have to spend as much on heating.
  Are you ready for the holidays yet? I've got a list as long as my arm that needs to be done, most of which involves cleaning this house. I've never been good at cleaning and keeping a spotless house, and its at times like these when I think perhaps I should drop everything and clean. But actually, there's a time for everything.
  Today's lesson is Luke 10:38-42. I do hope you read it for yourself. It's the account of Martha, who invited Jesus into her home, and her sister Mary. Martha is what I consider a typical southern hostess. When she brings you into her home she's going to make sure the place spotless, you're all nice and comfy, and there will be plenty of food. She was running around taking care of all the details and serving, and just where was her sister? Mary was sitting, listening attentively to Jesus.
  This made Martha rather upset. Here she was doing all this work and she really could use a hand with all that she was doing. She figured surely Jesus would side with her. "Can't you see that she's making me do all the work? Make her get up and help me!" I'm greatly paraphrasing here, but you can see what is going on.
  The bible does not say that he did this, but I can just picture Jesus  standing up and going to Martha, giving her a hug and leading her to sit down and rest a minute. 
 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Like many of us, Martha wanted everything to be perfect for her guests, and probably wanted to put out everything, especially the best of all she had. Sometimes we get so bogged down in keeping everything perfect, or just tending to our list of things that "need" to be done right now that we dismiss , at least for a time, the chance to feed our souls.  While Jesus was probably appreciative of all that Martha did to attend to his needs and feed him, he most likely would have rathered she fix something simple and sit down to listen as her sister Mary did. 
  While it is good to get the housework done, wrap the gifts, cook our family's favorite meals, do all the special touches we think we must do, or even write the story that is buzzing around in our head begging to be told, we shouldn't neglect our spirit. Take the time for bible study whether here or elsewhere. Attend and participate in worship on the Lord's day.  Put the cares of the world on hold for a little while. Have a wonderful day.

Good morning! It's another beautiful day outside. Here in my neck of the woods it's going to be a warm day, especially for this time of year. "Mother Nature" hasn't quite decided whether its going to be warm or cold continually so we get both every few days, translating into a mild season. Personally I'm thankful for mild weather. There are more warm days than cooler so far so we don't have to spend as much on heating.
  Are you ready for the holidays yet? I've got a list as long as my arm that needs to be done, most of which involves cleaning this house. I've never been good at cleaning and keeping a spotless house, and its at times like these when I think perhaps I should drop everything and clean. But actually, there's a time for everything.
  Today's lesson is Luke 10:38-42. I do hope you read it for yourself. It's the account of Martha, who invited Jesus into her home, and her sister Mary. Martha is what I consider a typical southern hostess. When she brings you into her home she's going to make sure the place spotless, you're all nice and comfy, and there will be plenty of food. She was running around taking care of all the details and serving, and just where was her sister? Mary was sitting, listening attentively to Jesus.
  This made Martha rather upset. Here she was doing all this work and she really could use a hand with all that she was doing. She figured surely Jesus would side with her. "Can't you see that she's making me do all the work? Make her get up and help me!" I'm greatly paraphrasing here, but you can see what is going on.
  The bible does not say that he did this, but I can just picture Jesus  standing up and going to Martha, giving her a hug and leading her to sit down and rest a minute. 
 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Like many of us, Martha wanted everything to be perfect for her guests, and probably wanted to put out everything, especially the best of all she had. Sometimes we get so bogged down in keeping everything perfect, or just tending to our list of things that "need" to be done right now that we dismiss , at least for a time, the chance to feed our souls.  While Jesus was probably appreciative of all that Martha did to attend to his needs and feed him, he most likely would have rathered she fix something simple and sit down to listen as her sister Mary did. 
  While it is good to get the housework done, wrap the gifts, cook our family's favorite meals, do all the special touches we think we must do, or even write the story that is buzzing around in our head begging to be told, we shouldn't neglect our spirit. Take the time for bible study whether here or elsewhere. Attend and participate in worship on the Lord's day.  Put the cares of the world on hold for a little while. Have a wonderful day.