Becki Morton

Petition for Martha Hearts 

Oh Dearest Lord Jesus,
	the keeper of our deepest hearts desire.
	You know every corner of that space.
	You see our helps and hindrances.  

You find us here today with much work to do.  Not bad or unworthy work—
	just business that would seek to unsettle us.
	Distracted to-dos that seem so large and imposing, 	
	that if we let them, will cause a vine of bitterness to invade 
	this place of fruitfulness.

We can think of a multitude of dusty corners, sinks full of unwashed dishes.
	We look at the unfinished spread sheets and piled up reports.
	The needs of so many, looking to us to feed and soothe.
	Fill up and check in on.  Not forget and push on through.

And in our minds we believe that if these things are not done by us
	that worlds will stop turning.

We genuinely believe that if we don’t handle it all, we won’t hold anything.

Emptiness and ‘enoughness’ pull at our spirits.  

We are left looking around and crying for help.  Anyone!
	And in our desperation we blame the ones unburdened 
	for our own inability to lay our weapons of work down.

Mercy, Fairest Lord.  Mercy.

We hear your soft rebuke, and it sounds like relief.  

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  
Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:41-42)

And that is the fear, Oh Beautiful One!
	If we don’t work and work and work—
		everything good, will be taken away.

Son of God, You have knocked on the door of our homes!
	In our excited joy, we have forgotten the reason you came.
	Not to put on our white gloves and check the tables for dust.
	Not to taste the food and critique the seasoning.
	Not to make sure we are ship-shape.

You are not a task master—You are the Savior of the World.
	And you have come and have knocked on my door!

Oh, My Most Precious Friend, My Jesus!
	Help me to lay down the portion that is a burden
	and free up my hands to open to the portion that is good.
	Only in your Grace can I see
	that the most perfect place, 
	is resting at your feet.

Lord of Life, heal this Martha heart.
	Remind me that you made Martha, just the way she was—
		her life was real and you put it into your Word to teach me.
	Her lesson, is my lesson.
	The Word you gave her, is my Word.
	Because You gave her Yourself.
	In all fullness.

Sovereign King, in this daily healing and walking 
	remind me that Marthas story doesn’t end 
	 in that lesson of true hospitality.
	Remind me that Martha met you on the road
	those horrible days after she lost her brother.
	Bring to mind the faith that was established in her heart,
	when she declared—
		“Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
		who is coming into the world.”  (John 11:27)

Jesus, you change hearts.  
	You take all that this world would seek to crush us with,
	and you turn it into liberating faith.
	You take what was our undoing,
	and you do miracles in the these spaces.
	You take our lists filled with intertwined work and worthiness,
	and you tell us squarely—
		“I did the work of redemption, that is what makes you worthy.”

What was not good enough, is chosen and blessed forever!
What was overlooked and overworked, is sought out and given rest!
Now our labor is not in vain, it is not what makes us free!
Now our work is unto you, our Guest and Friend!
Now our peace isn’t in the competed task, 
	its found walking our of your empty grave.

Yes, you are Able to change a Martha’s Heart
	—even one like mine.

To Him who turns hearts of stone, to ones of flesh.
	To Him who makes them homes for The Spirit of Truth
	that declares—You are the Christ!
	All Honor and Glory, you are welcome here Lord Jesus.

Amen.