“Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”
What does that even mean?
A friend and I recently were chatting about having balance in our lives. I piped in that I’m still learning from the Bible story of Mary and Martha, the two sisters. One who was busy and one who leaned towards being intentional, at ease.
L U K E 10:38-42
“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
I’ve always took it as being a Martha was a bad thing. But, in all honesty when you dig a little deeper into the Word, you see that Martha was the first to welcome Jesus, to invite Him in and make Him feel at home. I love that.
I visualize a common day Martha as the type that others can be a little judgmental towards, annoyed by or even envious. She has a list for everything, easily takes charge, joyful hostess to holiday parties, birthday parties, and any other party that may spring up, Pinterest queen, spiffy house, spiritual dictionary… clothes folded and put away EVERY day, and of course, meals planned for each day of the week with dessert to go along with those budget friendly meals.
Mary on the other hand seems to be more at ease. She is intentional about her God and people. She doesn’t easily get distracted by the hustle and bustle of the holidays, HER list of to do’s, the incomplete homework, the dirty dishes, or the rowdy children. She chooses to be at peace despite the chaos.
Both have amazing qualities that..
John 11:5 states that
“Jesus loved Martha and her sister…”.
Jesus didn’t say that one was better in His eyes or that He loved one more than the other.
Beth Moore {amazing author and speaker} quotes in one of her books {Jesus, the One and Only}, “This passage is not a contrast between good and bad. It’s a contrast between good and better.”
So, I’ve come to understand that I need the best of both sisters:
a little bit of Martha’s consistency and activeness to invite Jesus to come into my home, my atmosphere, and in all of the details of my mommy, wifey world. But, I want to have a heart like Mary who intentionally seeks out intimate relationship with others, soaks in the stillness of His presence, who enjoys the PRESENT, who leans into His PRESENT love, AND who is at peace in chaos.
I don’t want to just show off my love, my accomplishments for Jesus but to be for real IN LOVE with Him. It’s a fruitful balance of being a hearer and a doer.
“It’s not a Mary vs Martha; it’s Mary AND Martha. We must balance what LOVE does for people with what LOVE says when it sits at their feet.” -Shelly Tiffin
I’m sharing a casual, EASY outfit that is paired with my favorite fringe booties. Everyone needs a couple of tshirt dresses in their closet especially if you live in Louisiana. Here’s the link to recreate a similar outfit:
www.liketk.it/1Y8tR
Or here’s the individual items that might still be in stock {lol, I stink at this blogging stuff}:
dress//
flanel shirt//
booties//
floppy hat//
purse:
I love this post so much. I need to be more like Mary and more like Martha LOL… so good. Thank you for sharing babe!!
RUTHIE, I love you!! Thanks so much for reading AND commenting!! We are on the journey of balancing together ??? it's a daily journey {ha} HUGS my friend ?
Xoxo, angelle