Martha and Mary

Do you know the story in the New Testament about Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus?

So, if you do, do you know if you are a Martha or a Mary? For those who know me, you know which one I am.

Well, these last few weeks our Pastor Laurie (did I tell you we were given pastor the beginning of July at Hope UMC??), has been giving her morning messages on some of the women of the Bible, the series has been very good. Last week she talked about Mary of Bethany, who was the sister of Martha and brother of Lazarus (remember, Jesus rose Lazarus from the tomb, after he had been dead for 4 days). This morning she talked about Martha.

These two sisters were both very different. They both loved Jesus, but each showed their love in different ways. They each have their own gifts to give, but different gifts. Mary is the sister who was more emotional, more mediative. She was the type who would be visiting, rather than being in the kitchen. Martha was the "action" sister, always "doing", she kept busy cleaning the house for company, cooking and making sure that everyone was fed well, and treated well when they visited. She got very upset at her sister, because her sister wasn't helping her in the kitchen, instead, Mary was visiting with Jesus, and listening to his every word. She also poured expensive perfume on his feet. Jesus told Martha not to scold Mary. You see, Jesus knew that each of them had different ways of showing him their love, and of showing hospitality. He knew that each of them made a whole in showing their love.

The message in Pastor Laurie's sermon was this: In our day and age us women seem to be very busy being Martha's, even some women who's personality is more like Mary. Raising children, working, (both at home and the workplace) running the kids to school activities.... doing, doing, doing.... action women. But, she reminded us that it takes two halves to make a whole on how we live a Christian life. We need a balance of both a "Mary" and a "Martha". We need to take time to "be a Mary", mediate, pray, and make that connection with God, for the strength she can draw from that connection. Have that balance in your life, get that connection, whether you are a Mary or a Martha.

Thank you, Pastor Laurie for reminding us!