The first thing I picture when I hear the name "Martha" is an old woman in a rocking chair.
Well, my name is "Martha" and years ago I gave myself the nickname of "Marti."  I thought it sounded younger?? But, maybe not.

         In later years I've done much more Bible reading and often read the story of Mary and Martha...you know, the one where Jesus visits their home and Martha gets busy preparing the meal.  Mary instead spends her time listening to Jesus as he speaks.  Martha gets impatient that Mary isn't helping her and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.
Well, of course, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has found what is the most important...letting Martha know, in a nice way, that she should also be listening to his teachings...the meal being secondary in importance.

I've always felt rather embarrassed when I read that story...considering that I'm a "Martha."  So...I wrote the following prayer:

Do I Have To Be A Martha?

Lord, help me be a Mary today,
Let Martha take a rest.
Show me how to stop my toil,
And lean upon your breast.

I need your strength for living today.
Tomorrow will come soon enough.
Open my eyes and teach me your ways,
For a faith to endure when life's rough.

The Martha in me takes over at times
And I get so obsessed with the task,
That the open heart of the Mary I seek
Is forgotten 'cause I'm too busy to ask.

Let me be Martha only as needed,
And be Mary the rest of each day
So that my heart is eager and ready
To pursue my spiritual way.