Chapter 1-A Tale of Two Sisters

In Chapter 1, the author, Joanna Weaver, does a great job of introducing us to the story of Mary & Martha.  Although short, the Holy Spirit gifted her with some beautiful insight.  In Luke 10:38-42 we read the story of Mary and Martha and then Joanna goes on to give a fresh look at Martha.  You know, us, right now living our lives.  The Martha in us that is too busy, overwhelmed, judgmental, and probably a little angry at how certain things are playing out in her life.  And so we begin to try "finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life".

I have to admit, that I deleted some things I had already written.  I was answering the questions and felt I had learned a lot that I wanted to write about.  Then, I got to the last question.  What spoke most to you in this chapter?  Usually I can easily find something since I have read this book multiple times and I high light different thoughts or ideas.  This time I was flipping through and came across a section I could not remember ever reading. Something that had never stuck out before.  


She quotes Charles Hummel and what he calls the "tyranny of the urgent".  "We live in constant tension between the urgent and the important," Hummel writes. "The problem is that the important task rarely must be done today or even this week.  Extra hours of prayer and Bible study can wait.  But the urgent tasks call for instant action--endless demands pressure every hour and every day."


Wow.  Maybe that had never stuck out to me because I wasn't dealing with the urgent and the important like I am now.  I struggle daily (as you can tell from my blog) with spending time with my kids and not focusing on the lists and other "urgent" things in my life.  This was just what I needed to read.  The Holy Spirit spoke through those words to me this time.  My children need me to focus on them during the day.  To me, that's why I am a stay at home mom.  My kids need ME.  It is so hard for me to get over the other urgent tasks like mopping the floor.  I keep thinking, "if I get all of these 'urgent' tasks done, then I can spend as much time with my kids as I want."  It's just not true.  That is not the rhythm of our lives.  We can't always finish one thing and move onto the next.  


One of the other questions was to write out a verse from Matthew to memorize and hang it on your bathroom mirror.  I decided this time to do that.  I also added at the bottom to remember what the urgent and the important was.  It has been nice to go into the bathroom and remember the Word of God and what is important while I am getting ready.  

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carryin heavy burdens; and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my uoke is eas, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30

I will not answer all the questions in my post for every chapter.  That might get a bit...long.  I hope a few people enjoy reading this book as much as me.  For me, this is less about blogging and more about holding myself accountable to becoming more of "Mary" by reading one chapter a week and giving myself a a way to be accountable by blogging about it.  So, if you are reading the book and blogging about it, feel free to just write whatever speaks to you in the chapter or from the questions.  I would love it if you blog about it to leave me a comment so I can go visit the page.  You can also just comment at the bottom if you would like.  Happy Reading!