Bullets for the Battle

A Mother’s Day Example

Dr. McCarty and I discussed an appropriate post for this week.  We decided that wishing our readers a meaningful Mother’s Day celebration was perfect.  He asked me to write the following based on Luke 10:38-42.  Ruth Ann

This beautiful little account tells how Jesus stopped in his travels about the country teaching, preaching and doing miracles to dine at Martha’s house in the village of Bethany.   Martha was the kind of woman who would memorize each issue of Martha Stewart Living if she had been able to subscribe in her day.  She wanted to make her guest not only welcome but very welcome in her home.  Her elaborate preparations were to insure her honored guest was given the very best … and that everyone in the community and on the guest list knew she could throw the best parties in the whole village.  Martha was the very picture of the harried hostess.

Martha had a younger sister, Mary.  As she bustled about, Martha realized her sister was no where to be found.  She wasn’t fetching water or tending the fire.  She wasn’t setting the table or lighting the lamps.  Everywhere she looked, Mary wasn’t there.

Martha stuck her head around the door to check on her guests.  The Lord was talking with the other guests and, much to Martha’s surprise and consternation, there was her absent sister sitting at the Master’s feet.  The sight provoked her … so much work to do to get this meal on the table and there sat her sister doing nothing!  With housewifely zeal she waited for a pause in the conversations.  Then she pounced.

“Lord, do You not care!  My sister has left me to get Your meal on the table all alone.  Send her back to the kitchen to help me finish dinner, won’t You?”

Jesus’ gentle voice rebuked her as he said, “Martha, Martha, you are too house proud, too busy trying to make everything over the top.  You are letting yourself become so stressed out you are missing out on having Me here.  Mary has chosen to sit at My feet and focus on the One Thing that is most important.  I won’t take that away from her nor let anyone else do so.”

No doubt Martha got her meal on the table in good time, but I think she redirected her energy from fussing to fellowship with her Lord.  Mary was doing this already.  I can just see Martha taking the hint and joining in the richer “meal” offered her in having more of Him, the One Thing that is needful.

As we celebrate all the hard work and loving care given us by our mothers this Sunday, we at Ventures for Christ pray that every one of these exceptional women is encouraged to take time for the One Thing Mary found that long ago day.  Whether they are busy Marthas or reflective Marys, all our mothers (and all the rest of us as well) need more of the Savior above all else … may we find Him in abundance!