Thursday, August 11, 2005
Martha and Mary
I've always been a Martha, desperately wanting time to be a Mary, but now that I have the time, I find myself to be a Mary, desperately wanting to be a Martha. For those of you who don't know the story. Martha and Mary are sisters who Jesus visits in their home. Martha works non-stop serving her guests and complains about her sister who just sits at Jesus's feet, listening and focusing on him. Jesus, however, defends Mary, explaining that she has chosen the better activity.
Over the past few years, I have filled every moment with school, church, family, and friends. I treasure my moments of sitting on my balcony and simply experiencing the presence of God and soaking in his words as rare and precious. I write brief reflective rants in my journal about how I'm too busy to truly enjoy the life that God has given me. But...this summer offered me a month and a half of true vacation. Other than unpacking and decorating the new house, I have had ample time to read, pray, and rest. My response: anxiety and frustration. I just couldn't handle it. Unless I invented some type of projects or activities (cleaning, decorating, writing, dance classes, gardening, sewing, etc.) to fill my day, I would lie in bed at night lamenting the wasted time. I need to learn to simply sit at the feet of Jesus!
Well...I suppose that is enough blogging for this month. School begins (for new teachers) next week, so...it may be Christmas before I post again...
I've always been a Martha, desperately wanting time to be a Mary, but now that I have the time, I find myself to be a Mary, desperately wanting to be a Martha. For those of you who don't know the story. Martha and Mary are sisters who Jesus visits in their home. Martha works non-stop serving her guests and complains about her sister who just sits at Jesus's feet, listening and focusing on him. Jesus, however, defends Mary, explaining that she has chosen the better activity.
Over the past few years, I have filled every moment with school, church, family, and friends. I treasure my moments of sitting on my balcony and simply experiencing the presence of God and soaking in his words as rare and precious. I write brief reflective rants in my journal about how I'm too busy to truly enjoy the life that God has given me. But...this summer offered me a month and a half of true vacation. Other than unpacking and decorating the new house, I have had ample time to read, pray, and rest. My response: anxiety and frustration. I just couldn't handle it. Unless I invented some type of projects or activities (cleaning, decorating, writing, dance classes, gardening, sewing, etc.) to fill my day, I would lie in bed at night lamenting the wasted time. I need to learn to simply sit at the feet of Jesus!
Well...I suppose that is enough blogging for this month. School begins (for new teachers) next week, so...it may be Christmas before I post again...
