Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Cooking or Baking (01/04/07)
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TITLE: Mary's Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
By Scott Thomas
01/10/07 -
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She wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. The afternoon sun streaming through the open window made the modest kitchen hot enough, but the fire burning in the pit behind her made it almost unbearable. Martha finished kneading the dough, and gingerly placed it on the pan to rise. As she turned around, she caught a glimpse of the Teacher, speaking with her younger sister in the next room. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but by the occasional laughter, she knew they were enjoying themselves. At least somebody was.
Martha thought about all the other preparations that needed to be done. The lamb was slowly roasting over the fire. Oh yes, marinade! Forgetting her company for the moment, she ran over to the cupboard to get the cooking spices and quickly mixed them together before the meat was over-cooked and dried out. She poured the marinade over the lamb. As the drippings fell, the fire spit back at her, covering her apron with bits of ash. Good she thought. Maybe they'll notice and realize how hard I'm working.
Martha thought again about preparations, all the more anxious. How long has it been since the Teacher arrived? He must be starving. But I'm not ready yet! Martha always felt this way whenever they had company. All the proper etiquette must be observed to be sure that guests were comfortable. She went over in her mind the list of details that she was always so good at remembering. Her brother and sister never seemed to pay much attention to the details of hospitality. Probably because they knew she would.
She glanced through doorway where the Teacher and Mary sat, still deep in conversation. Nearby was the dinner table. It was a simple rectangular shape, but taller than their neighbors tables. Tall enough that chairs were needed to sit at the table instead of lying beside it. But that wasn't what made it special to Martha. The Teacher himself made this table, back in his younger days when he was learning carpentry skills from his father.
Ah, the table! Its not set yet. Martha panicked. Why can't Mary at least set the table? Instead she's just chit-chatting with the Teacher. Martha simmered. Doesn't she realize how much work this is? Reaching a boiling point of her own and unable to constrain herself any longer, Martha stormed into the next room to confront them.
“Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"(NIV-Luke10:40)
The Teacher had a calm and understanding look on his face. “You are worried and upset about many things”(NIV-Luke10:41)
Am I that obvious, Martha thought, or He can read my mind?
“But only one thing is needed.” the Teacher continued. “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”(NIV-Luke10:42)
Martha just stood there, letting the words hang on the air, trying to fathom what the Teacher meant. How could He take her side? I'm the one working hard to serve Him. She knew though, it was pointless to argue. The Teacher had such an uncanny insight into things.
Without another word, Martha turned to go back to the kitchen. As she did so, the Teacher's table snagged her stained apron, as if to hold her back. She tugged at the her apron to free it, tearing it in the process. Oy! she thought. Something else I'll hafta fix.
Martha could feel the Teacher's eyes upon her. It made her feel uncomfortable and she hurried back to the kitchen. She needed to be alone, to think about His words.
What did He mean by “...Mary has chosen what is better”? It's better to talk than to work?! No, that couldn't be it. Slowly, Martha realized that Mary always did seem to be more at ease with company that visited, getting to know them, spending time with them. It dawned on her that Mary, in her own way was indeed serving.
Martha paused a moment. She took off her stained apron and in its place she put on Mary's heart, and walked into the other room to join the Teacher and her sister.
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