| Luke 10:39 "And...Mary,...sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his | | | | fellowshipping with the Master, she begins to grumble |
| word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, | | | | and is resentful of her sister. Her focus is upon self |
| and came to him and said, Lord, dost thou not care | | | | rather than Jesus. We have all been there: "Well, I |
| that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her | | | | guess if no one else will volunteer to teach Sunday |
| therefore that she should help me. And Jesus | | | | School, to head a ministry, to plan field trips etc., I'll have |
| answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art | | | | to do it." We efficiently complete the task but not for |
| careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is | | | | the right reasons, and in the process, bring no glory to |
| needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which | | | | God. |
| shall not be taken away from her." | | | | Many times our ministry at home suffers because we |
| These are some of my favorite verses in the Bible, | | | | have taken on so many obligatory tasks. |
| probably because as a homeschool mother of five, I | | | | But take heart. Even amid Martha's self-pity and |
| need to be frequently reminded to seek after that | | | | complaining, I am encouraged by Jesus' patience and |
| "good part," that sweet communion with Jesus. | | | | tenderness with his dear friend. His gentle rebuke helps |
| Note first the posture of Mary. She is sitting: at rest | | | | Martha to reevaluate her priorities. |
| and focused entirely on her Lord. She is sitting at | | | | Unfortunately, I have fulfilled Martha's role more often |
| Jesus' feet, which reflects humility, honor and | | | | than that of Mary, yet our Lord is never harsh, He |
| reverence. | | | | draws me back gently with His tender correction. |
| Homeschool mom, make time in your day to rest in | | | | According to Jesus, all of the busyness is not needful. |
| Jesus. This is not a slothful rest, but a shutting out of | | | | Only the "good part" do we need in our lives. The |
| the world's demands upon you and worshiping and | | | | "good part" means communion in the very presence |
| adoring our Lord. | | | | of God himself. However, communion only takes place |
| As Martha is "cumbered about" with all of her serving | | | | when we sit quietly, obediently, and frequently at the |
| and work, she loses her focus. Rather than sitting and | | | | feet of the Master. |