Goodbye Martha ... Hello Mary!

[Donna]

I used to be a "Martha" ... always busy, doing, going, in control, constantly trying to please everyone, saying yes when I really wanted to say NO! Running the rat race, raising children, being an employee, the reliable friend, the shoulder to cry on, always there for others; at times to the point of becoming a door mat instead of a welcome mat for Jesus. Chronic pain and being out of the work force for almost three years now has given me a new perspective. My life is not about doing ... it's about being. I have entered my Mary years. I now can sit at the feet of Jesus and follow his plan for my life day by day. I think this is a transition all women go through, especially those who have devoted their early years to balancing careers with child raising and the upkeep of a home. Nature has a way of slowing you down, whether it be through illness, chronic pain, menopause, an accident, tragedy, trauma or just the natural aging process. I must admit ... I miss Martha. But becoming Mary is so much richer for my soul and those around me. Sometimes being a Martha, in the words of my now grown children, is just "one big ball of stress." No wonder Mary is highly favored by God. She knows how to chill and not let the cares of this life overtake her. Even with daily chronic pain ... I'm happy to say goodbye to my Martha years and I welcome many years to come of just being ...
Mary.