I struggle with being a Martha. My mind is always going with things I should be doing. It’s hard to just rest, especially hard to just rest before the Lord, but I know it is soooo needed, especially if I’m to do and be all he has called me to do and be.

Then why do I fall back into my Martha ways? Why don’t I just sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary? I’m hoping this new book is going to get to the heart of the matter. This book’s subtitle says: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life. Seems like something I could use right now, how about you?

What They Say:
Joanna Weaver was voted the Most Promising New Writer of 1997 at the Mount Herman Writer’s Conference. She has authored Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and written for publications such as Focus on the Family, Home Life, Aspire, and The Evangel. A pastor’s wife for more than eighteen years, she and her husband have counseled many couples, both those approaching their wedding and those struggling in marriage. The Weavers live in Montana and have taught young married classes and spoken on the topic of marriage throughout the northwestern United States.

About Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World:An invitation for every woman who’s ever felt she isn’t godly enough, isn’t loving enough, isn’t doing enough.

The life of a woman today isn’t really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord’s feet…but the daily demands of a busy world just won’t leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him…yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.

Then comes Jesus, into the midst of your busy life, to extend the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters from Bethany. Tenderly, he invites you to choose “the better part”–a joyful life of intimacy with him that flows naturally into loving service.

With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story, Joanna Weaver shows how all of us–Marys and Marthas alike–can draw closer to our Lord: deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

What I Say:

What I like about this book is that it starts with the traditional story of Mary and Martha, but sheds new light on the two sisters. Whenever I read the story, I pictured Mary as a slacker and Martha having to pick up all the slack. But through Joanna Weavers words and my own study of Biblical times, I’ve come to realize that it’s more realistic for Mary to have started out helping in the kitchen, as was the woman’s custom. Though eventually she ended up at Jesus’ feet. Somewhere along the way from getting ready for company she made her way to Jesus’ side.

I want to be like Mary, though question more like Martha. “Lord, don’t you care?” Many times I feel overwhelmed with day to day drudgery (much of which I probably take on by myself and might possibly not be the will of God. Maybe I should consult him first) and wonder why no one cares. Why no one helps. Chapter Two addresses this issue. But Jesus does care. Though sometimes not the way we think he should.

Some other chapters I have yet to read include THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CURE, LIVINGROOM INTIMACY, KITCHEN SERVICE, BALANCING WORK AND WORSHIP. This seems like a very practical book and is loaded with biblical and personal testimonies from other Marthas.

Joann Weaver will be giving away 7 copies of Having a Mary Heart at her blog, so go on over and tell her Portrait sent you!

Joanna’s blog: http://joannaweaver.blogspot.com

Joanna’s website: www.joannaweaverbooks.com (Coming Soon)

Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400074037?&camp=212361&creative=383841&linkCode=wss&tag=sprightly-20