Mary or Martha?

The Lord brought this article, which I wrote a couple of summers ago, to mind this morning and I thought I'd share it with you ladies.

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My mornings are usually pretty busy.  I try to do as much outdoor work in the cooler morning hours as I can, although I don't always succeed in getting out that early (I'm not a morning person:).  Often times, I don't get around to reading my Bible until almost lunch time.  I know there's no real set time when you have to read your Bible, but it seems like early morning is the best time for having quiet time with the Lord.  The world's just waking up, and everything is still and peaceful.  But I was letting my chores, busy work, computer, reading, etc. interfere with my quiet time.  I was trying to justify it too, telling myself, "I have to get these things done.  I'm sure God understands.  He probably doesn't really mind when I do my Bible study, as long as I do it."  I even thought several times, "He's probably really proud of me right now, doing all of these chores first thing!"  But...I wasn't putting Him first.  I was being a Martha, to concerned with my chores and duties to sit at Jesus' feet.   To caught up in the warm fuzzies of getting my chores done first thing to spend the first part of my day with Him.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42

There's nothing wrong with serving others and getting your chores done, but Jesus should always come first.  My prayer is to be a Mary, instead of a Martha, sitting at the feet of Jesus.

This lovely hymn seems to sum it up best...

 

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And, when weary, find sweet rest.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray,
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day.

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet.
Oh, look down in love upon me;
Let me see Thy face so sweet.

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus;
Make me holy as He is.
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

 .....

Many blessings,

Natasha Marie