Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
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TITLE: Second Chance | Previous Challenge Entry
By Deborah Shipman
02/13/05 -
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Jesus sat looking at the crowd. He knew they were there to hear him yet he wanted to rest. He loved them so rest would have to wait. Looking down at the woman seated at his feet, he could see the hunger in her eyes that pulled from him the words he knew brought life. As he talked and she listened intently to every word proceeding from his mouth, Martha interrupted saying, “Mary, I sure would appreciate it if you would help me."
Jesus turned and looked at Martha. She was so busy, working hard to get the approval of man. He wanted to help her to see that mans approval was only temporary and never would bring the contentment setting at his feet and listening to him would.
As he thought on this Jesus turned to Martha and said, “Martha you are so weighted down with the cares of this life yet Mary has found the more perfect way."
As Martha looked into those wonderful eyes, something began to melt within her that had been there for years. The words he spoke began to do their work in her heart. Suddenly she realized the ache in her heart was the emptiness that had been there from when she was a child. The emptiness of being left out because she always had to be the best and do the best. Always the one to serve while everyone else would get together and visit. Always left out and pushed away, considered the drab one who bored everyone. She had filled her life with serving and being the best, to hide the emptiness. The attention she would obtain by being the best and always being willing to serve gave her a momentary relief that never lasted. Now she realized Jesus was offering her relief that would last forever, fulfillment not based on what others thought or how they felt nor if they paid attention to her or not. As she knelt beside Mary, she knew he was the answer and would bring her that rest from all the emptiness and restlessness that had driven her all her life. She knew he would help her to find that contentment so she would no longer need the approval of people.
Martha looked at Mary knowing that today would begin a new day between them. No longer would she care if Mary performed or not. Now for the first time she could finally enjoy having a sister, she could enjoy just spending time with her.
Julia awoke looking around her room. Was that a dream? It had been so real. She sat up and stared at the picture of Cindy, her little sister, propped up on her nightstand. Remembering the sharp words, she had spoken to her the night before she realized why she had had the dream. Thinking about the pain, she had seen in Cindy’s eyes as she used her words to rip her apart, brought tears to her eyes. How proud she had been of herself. Now she realized she had been the one that needed the talking to not Cindy. Her demanding and performance oriented drive had built a wedge between them. She knew from the dream that only she could change it. Bowing her head, she prayed that Jesus would help her just as he had Martha and to forgive her for judging her little sister, demanding that she be like her. Feeling the pain she had put her sister through she ask Jesus to heal the pain she had inflicted with her words and give her what she needed to make things right.
Peace began to flood her soul as she felt the forgiveness only the blood of Jesus can bring. Getting up she knew Jesus was giving her a second chance with her sister and like Martha, she knew this was a new day for her and Cindy.
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