... and Martha Served

And there they made Him a supper, and Martha served...

John 12:2

It's been over seven years since my first series on Martha... The subject has been recently resurrected.

It was in Martha's heart to serve, but she, like most women, felt the need to not only serve, but to impress the guests as well. The house probably had to be spotless, the bed comfortable, the bathroom fresh smelling, and the meal? Extravagant. No hot dogs and store bought potato salad for her guests!

I'm so much like her, the Biblical Martha, and her concern over too many things. I've often longed for the return of the carefree days of childhood. Not the childhood itself, per say, I think I've still got a hold on that (ha ha!), but the carefree-ness that come with NOT being worried and/or troubled about many things.

Somewhere along the way Martha learned some valuable lessons. The story in John 10, the one about her and her sister, includes Jesus' gentle rebuke/words of encouragement. A book in my collections says, "...from Martha's familiarity with Jesus, we conclude that she knew Him well."  She knew Him well enough to take her worldly cares to Him, and He loved her enough to address her shortcomings and point her back in the right direction. Two chapters later she is serving once again, yet she utters no complaint. I have to wonder if there was a little dust on the furniture and perhaps a few cobwebs in the corner this time. I'm pretty sure the meal was simpler and served with a lot more smiles.

As for me, I'm still working on it, and I think I'm making progress. At least I hope so. I haven't dusted in months. (Okay, maybe I have... maybe.)