"Why," sighed Martha,
"is the only story everyone remembers about me is one moment of irritation and a
put-down from Someone who - everyone assumes - had no sense of humour. There’s even a
concordance - you know, a book where you’re supposed to be able to find every
reference to the people and incidents in the Bible - well, there is one of those where the
only reference to me is "Martha - Jesus’ rebuke of..."!!
Thomas and I have a lot in common - one remark made when he was taken off guard - "unless I see His hands and His feet...."etc and he’s "Doubting Thomas" forever! One remark - made under serious provocation I might say - and I’m used as a dire warning to busy people for generations to come! Dismas’ one-liner gets him into paradise - ours gets us into history as doubters and over-harassed housewives! Well, let’s set the record straight a bit. Where did Jesus know He could go to get a good supper - and a bit of peace - and, close to the end, a bit of safety? Who did He know who could rustle up a "little something" for the band of followers who wouldn’t know one end of a cooking pot from the other? Who did He know would let Him have His say - and then have a laugh about it later? did He know would let Him have His say - and then have a laugh about it later? You see - we knew each other very well, Jesus and I. And recording things in a book - well, you get the words - but you don’t hear the way we said it... There weren’t many people who could take the idea that Jesus liked to have fun too - and share a bit of banter - and especially not with a woman! Maybe that’s why they recorded that episode! A way of making sure I got my come-uppance when there was no chance of answering back! Fortunately, as I say, Jesus and I knew each other very well - better than some of those who were destined to go down in history as His special friends. Mary - well, she was a dreamer - and she absolutely idolised Jesus - and there can’t be many things more likely to drive anyone to distraction than the sight of a kid sister mooning over an idol! I didn’t idolise Him - though I would have died for Him - many of us would have done. The times Jesus and I had were in the early mornings when He came in from His prayer times... Everyone else was asleep and I was up and doing, getting ready for the day. He’d meet me at the well - and we’d talk about what He’d experienced in His prayer - and I’d listen and we'd chat about what it all might mean. And then - every now and again when I was busy about something, I’d suddenly get an insight into what He’d said. It was as if He’d just popped into my mind - or, more precisely my heart - to remind me of something - or buck me up - or just give me a spiritual hug now and again... I didn’t need to stay at His feet - He was always with me - He still is...and always will be... That’s all prayer is, you know, just being aware of God with you - wherever you are - whatever you are doing... But it’s easy to forget when you are busy. It might help to spend a bit of time looking in my prayer cupboard. There are lots of ideas that have helped people for generations - there may just be something right for you. Not that I’m knocking "proper prayer" - when you can have it there’s nothing to beat it! Time just between you and Jesus - wonderful! The cupboard is a bit like any store. Fresh stuff is always best - but, sometimes, you just have to get something from the cupboard or freezer to keep you going...
Getting ready to visit the Cupboard! Read the story of Martha in Luke 10: 38-42 and try to read it as a conversation between friends. Are you a Martha or a Mary? Which would you rather be? Are you prepared to make a
cup-of-coffee’s worth of time available If so -click on the coffee!
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