
A simple bouquet of flowers from a friends' garden
My mother used to grow these.
Are they called bleeding hearts?
When I looked around me this week, I am reminded
so often of the wonderful women in my life.
We do not need to be super heroes to be recognized.
We need to accept ourselves for who we are.
So here we are...back again.
Welcome to Wonderful Women's Wednesday!
How many of your are feeling like Martha's
after the Easter weekend?
Last week I brought your attention to Mary and Martha.
We debated back and forth,
"Who had the better part?"
John 10: 38-42
I received some wonderful comments
One in particular..
Karin from Yesterday, Today Forever.has written a wonderful post in Defense for Martha.
When we look at the story of Lazarus, it obviously implies,
once again that Martha was the care giver.
As an older sibling, we can truly see that Martha
was an "in charge type of women."
Many of us have taken workshops on empathy.
What would it of looked like if the sisters were to practice empathy?
Do you think you could ever hear those sisters say?
Empathic Response:
"I am sorry for keeping so much to myself.".(Mary).."and I was often too harsh with you, criticizing and demanding, while inwardly I was weeping." (Martha)
Mary prides herself with listening...Did she listen to Martha?
I can imagine Martha thinking...
"How can you waste so much time?"Don't we all identify with Mary's and Martha's?
Then the two sister's called for Jesus help.
Can you imagine the sister's frustrations?
Martha is giving palliative care to her brother Lazarus.
Mary on the other hand, is in solitude, praying for God's will.
Empathetic Response:
"That was a hard decision wasn't it Martha?I knew you didn't want to be a bother by asking Jesus for help.But it was too much for me to see Lazarus ebb away.""I needed solitude to pray and seek God's will. "Mary
: "All that pain and we couldn't share it? I am sorry for keeping so much to myself."
Finally Martha begins to get it....and responds,
"Mary, I'm good at sweeping the house clean and getting rid of thing we no longer need.But that's not enough."Mary could of responded by saying,
"And now I see the importance of filling our home by sharing our gifts with others. Spending time with Jesus and keeping to myself is not enough!"WOW!!! It looks like they are starting to get it!
I have contemplated on this topic for the past two weeks.
Often we find ourselves in those exact positions,
whether it be at home, work, church or a family gathering.
Personally I have come to believe that the 'better part' is to acknowledge each others gifts.
Show sensitivity and respect to one another, rather than constant criticism.
The 'Better Part' could be referred to as,
"There is a proper time to listen to Jesus and proper time to work for him."
Both women needed to learn this principle.
What does the 'Better Part' mean for you?
