Which sister are you?

In recent days my attention has been drawn to a simple truth revealed in 4 little verses at the end of Luke 10.

First, I love that this story is about 2 women. There aren't many stories like this in scripture, which only leads me to believe I need to pay extra attention here. The story starts at vs 38 when -Martha- invites Jesus and the disciples into her home. Jesus enters, and Martha's sister Mary parks it right at his... *feet. Martha being a hospitable woman works herself and her attention away in the preparations for her guests. But gets agitated because she's the only one working.

So she comes in and in an attempt to humiliate her sister, she actually humiliates herself.

Complaining that she's the only one serving, "Lord, don't you care? Tell her to help me". Jesus responds by calling her name *twice... she seriously wasn't paying attention was she?
"Martha, Martha, you are upset and worried over many things when only one is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." The story ends here. Interesting isn't it?

Some would say Martha was a selfish woman interested in gaining both the attention and approval of Jesus by serving Him in the ways she was taught. But I like to think she was geniunly trying to do what she felt in her heart would be most pleasing to her Lord. Misguided by herself, her culture, and those around her she lost sight of what was before her, in her living room. Women were and are called to do those things... those "serving" things. We cook, clean, teach Sunday school, take care of the house, etc.... Those expectations were and are present, yes, but there is more to this story.

Jesus described Martha as worried and upset, obviously because her sister wasn't doing "enough" in her eyes. She wasn't 'serving' enough. To her surprise, Jesus rebukes that and in turn pulls a 180. Mary was doing what was far more important, and glorifying to Christ, and yet in Martha's eyes she was doing nothing?

See a present day parallel yet?

Mary was giving Christ her attention*, not her service. She was giving Him the highest honor, her most valuable possession. The one thing she could give and never get back. Not her pots, wines and bread. But her time. Martha's offering was replaceable, therefore not worth much. Mary's offering represented the element of true worship.

To be honest, I'm worried that we find ourselves here more often than we could even begin to consciously realize. Misguided by -whoever- and believing that what we can do for Jesus is somehow more important than what He can do for us. We want to be teachers and not students. The bible warns us against this, saying that those who do not have a teachable Spirit will be like [ 2 Timothy 3:7 ] “Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Don't be a Martha, and don't wait 20 years before admitting you already are one. Don't look around at your sister Mary, telling her she isn't doing 'enough' because she isn't doing what you're doing. Don't slave away in service and never hear the words of Christ. Jesus warns that these things will be taken from us, but His words, His teachings, His Spirit cannot be taken away. The story ends at Jesus' words and so we do not know Martha's fate but we know our own.

Be the Mary, who gives what she cannot keep to gain what she cannot lose.





With the humble imitation of Mary,
-S

where did ya come from, where did ya go

It's been QUITE the year! woaaah, and its been months since I've been on here.
For what its worth, I've missed it!

This has been one of the craziest years of my life thus far. I've been on such a wild ride.. and its been good... ?!

I say that after being so miserable while getting on and staying on, but I think now I'm learning how* to be on the ride. There's a difference between going somewhere consciously and unconsciously. When you're conscious your chances of thinking straight and making some logical decisions are more likely than when you're unconscious of it all.

I think this post is a reflection. A reflection of where I came from, behind me in previous posts. And a reflection of where I'm going, the posts ahead of this one to come.

Scared? Absolutely.
Excited? Not really.

Ready? Hands down!

-S

Howdy!
well it's been quite some time since I last posted. summer was crazy busy... to say the least. between 2 jobs, many wonderful friends, and a family that's sometimes too good to be true-- I had little time for myself or even a computer. which I am kinda happy about but also not too happy about. either way its in the past and I can only think about today and wonder about tomorrow.

school started today, and this semester I have a pretty rad schedule.. I have class Tues-Thurs and a 4 day weekend! ya baby! I'm also living with a new roomy that I'm actually SO excited about. you know when you just meet someone, even sometimes just for a moment... but you know in your heart you'd be the best of friends if ever given the chance? ya, thats how I feel. pretty cool:)

other than that this ones just a quick update. more thoughts to come... hopefully....

with love, and a sore throat...
-S

Rise, and rise again. Until lambs become lions

YIKES! its been 24 days since my last post. I'm BAD! things have been so intensely busy.. it's not even funny. with 2 jobs I put in over 70 hours of work a week. crazy eh? woah! these past 3 weeks have just flown right by me. I've been in the forest, at church, at the clinic, movies, parks, bbqs, lakes, birthday parties, pubs (don't judge me!), restaurants, coffee shops, shopping malls, different houses of people I love, boating.. it's been a blast! I recently saw Robin Hood (side note: AWESOME movie, despite the critics, it was sick) and the tag line was 'rise, and rise again.. till lambs become lions.' it really really stuck with me.. for so many reasons. I guess it really means never give up. but it is such a profound way of saying it... because lambs will never become lions. but we are to rise, and rise yet again. there is so much going on in my life right now, areas that I feel like giving up on. turning my back because of discouragement in failed past attempts.

Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the light.
interesting that the truth sets you free.. to the way.. and you walk the way, in light. if you subtract one of those things from the equation, it is no longer valid. you cannot substitute, add, or subtract to that... or to the word of God for that matter. either you are-- or you aren't.

either you stand strong and firm in your faith, or you do not stand at all. I read that in Isaiah chapter 40 last week. pretty legit...

sometimes I feel like giving up is easier than trying.
then I am reminded that Jesus died trying.

so I will rise,
and rise again.
Till lambs become lions.



in His grip,
-S

summer 2010.. WHAT?!

summer.
already.
this feels SO surreal. like I am about to wake up from this dream... I cannot even believe the summer is here. unreal unreal unreal! wow!

exams finished. that's all I have to say about that. unsure of how I did in a few classes, but I did my best. things were tough especially with Hunny passing.... I miss her so much. our house is 4 empty walls without her life in them. it is bizarre, and strange. I miss her so much, more than words can say. I don't think I will ever be okay with her gone, or not feel the pain of missing her. I think I will just learn to deal with the loss itself better. time heals all wounds, true story.

I am very excited for this summer though, should be a good time for sure. lots of plans and many more on the way. I am pretty stoked to say the least. I'll try my best to keep most of it posted here.. forgive me if I slack a bit.

till next time,
-S

because Happiness has a name

Hunny.

this week was probably the hardest, if not ever, definitely... in the last decade. our precious dog Hunny passed away. this was so very difficult, and overwhelming.. but it is better this way as she was in much pain. it is so incredibly unbearable to see someone you love in that kind of pain.. its unreal. I am away at school and so I wasn't around for much of it, including her being put down. my parents called me late (about 12 midnight) to say she got really sick in the hospital and they were going to put her down.. but I was in the library and my phone was on silent so I didn't hear it go off until it was too late... that was really difficult. this whole thing has just been a nightmare. I can't even really fully believe she is .. gone. like, she's not coming back and we wont walk, talk, roll and play together. but I certainly have some amazingly wonderful memories that I will forever cherish. this whole thing has made me realize how blessed we are to even breathe every morning, to have the love and health of those around us. we take that for granted... seriously. I know before Hunny was mine she was the Lords and He gives and He takes away.

I wrote a song for Hunny, but I don't have the best voice so I am going to ask a few people to sing it (after I teach them how I want it done) and see which I like best, and then record it. here are the lyrics, they're nothing special really... but it means so much to me.

my gift of love,
my gift of life,
you will be...
forever mine.
my gift of love,
my gift, of life
you will be...
forever mine.

[chorus]
and wherever you go
you will know
that we loved
love you, so
and wherever you go,
yes you know
that we loved
love you so


and though you're gone,
it's not for long.
time will pass,
fast so fast.
one day it'll be,
baby just you and me

[chorus]

your memory,
like a melody..
precious memory,
always a melody.


forever my, song
my heart, beat
baby go...
now you're... free


RIP Hun, you will be forever mine
-S

I'm sorry WHAT?!

April.
what?

it's all a conspiracy. there's no way its April 2010. September 2009 was only a few weeks ago.

true story

xx
-S