Archive for July, 2009

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Going Deeper – Day Two

3) Read Luke 10:38-42.  List two things you learn about Martha in this passage and at least two things you learn about Mary.  How would you sum up Martha in one word?  How would you sum up Mary?

Luke 10:38-42 (King James Version)

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.

⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The two things I learned about Martha in this passage is that one she had the wisdom to welcome Jesus into her home and to treat him as an honored guest.  The second is that she really did not seem to enjoy life, she had many concerns.  However, they did not seem to be anything of substance.  I have to add a third she seemed to operate on automatic.  Martha, did not wait for instruction before busying herself.  Nowhere in this passage of scripture do we see her asking Jesus what he would prefer instead it seems as if she chastised / questioned him for encouraging Mary not to help her.

Now Mary, on the other hand, is shown to have the good sense one not to open her mouth to speak before listening.  Secondly she had the wisdom to sit herself at the feet of Jesus to hear his instruction.

If I was to use one word to describe Martha it would be “Driven”.

If I was to use one word to describe Mary it would be “Purposeful”.

To be continued…

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection – Day One

1) What preconceived ideas did you have about Mary and Martha before reading this book?  Which woman do you relate to most – Mary or Martha?  Explain your answer.

Before reading the book, when thinking of the two sisters I pictured Martha being the ultimate workaholic and people pleaser.  Always staying busy, not satisfied till the work was done, very efficient and by far the best hostess.  As for Mary, I saw her as a true free spirit and worshiper with the innocence of a child.  Unafraid, possessing a quiet boldness that gave her courage to sit at the Master’s / Lord’s feet and not worry about the consequences of her actions may accrue.

Of the two sisters, I could always relate more to Martha.  All my life I have been in constant preparation mode.  Always working to help others to bring their dreams to the foreground while out of fear from disappointment, (what I used to think) watching my own dreams fall to the waste side.   See I had let past hurts allow me to cast away my confidence in my own God given dreams.  It got so bad at one point that I began to sow out of a sense of duty versus that of purpose.

Yes, I found joy in helping others. However, still I had the frustration of never truly feeling understood for me.  I had for so long worked to mask who I was my heart’s desires that it became hard for me to express to others the real me. Those days are gone with praise God for mind renewal!

Anyway, that is how I saw and related to Martha.  Duty bound, do to circumstances; not able to live the life she wanted.  Always seeming to be the one to pick up the slack or responsibilities others were not willing to.  Like caring for siblings, keeping a home or making a living; basically forced to grow up before she was ready to.

In my own life, I learned at a young age how to be self-reliant; not to be an extra burden.  Staying overly active in school and getting above average grades.  Looking for approval through my works; this created ultimately a bondage to people.  See, my father had left our home when I was about six because of infidelities.  He cheated on my mother.

Don’t get me wrong my father was never far away and was one of my greatest teachers, yet he had his own demons to fight.  I am truly blessed to have been his daughter and share with him his journey the last 22 of the 63 years of his life. To have heard him say to me that he was glad I never gave up on him and that he could call me his friend.  I will always treasure that.

Growing up though, financially it was rough when I was younger.  It got to the point that my mother shortly after her separation from my father that she had to get public assistance collect benefits and recycle bottles and cans to make money for us.  She later despite her being legally blind in both eyes became a daycare provider; my bedroom doubling as a classroom during the day.  The one thing I can say through those lean years is we always had a roof, food, love and an understanding knowledge of God in our household.

2) One woman told me, “My life is like a blender – and it’s stuck on frappe!”  What inanimate object best describes how your life currently feels?

The inanimate object that best describes my life is a boat on a river floating peacefully towards an unknown destination.  Sure there are turns and twists; however I have an anchor (the word of God) and a set of oars (good relations) to prevent me from top siding.

To be continued…

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

Lord if the tongue is that of a pen of a ready writer…Let it not be me that, is the author, but you who is the author and finisher of my faith that speaks through me. That is my prayer today! Psalm 45:1

The above statement is one of my new daily confessions.  Though I have been saved and a Christian for a number of years.  I am just truly learning the lesson of how important it is to speak life, positively not only about others but also myself.  Too many times, because I have not wanted to put my hopes up too high I have downgraded the awesomeness of God and what he can do and has done for me.

What I mean by this is if he placed desires in my heart, he is not going to tease me with them.  He is going to put me on the path to obtaining them.  However I must have consistent faith, patience and put some sweat in.  As my mother used to say “There’s no free lunch.”  In short meaning I have to WORK towards achieving my goals.

The beautiful part about the whole thing is that know I am not alone.  Each time I speak life and equally give God his due and his praise. I am not only encouraging myself I am also bringing God into the mix.  I recently dug out my high school year book because I am reconnecting with many of my friends from that time period.  In it, I found not only funny pictures of my friends and myself, but also my first resume.

My first resume was already two pages long.  I am not trying to boast.  However it reminded me, that who I am today, is not too far off from who I was then character wise.   I still list as my hobbies a love for creative writing, dancing, singing, reading, helping others and a passion for leadership development.  The only differences between the Lela I was then and the Lela I am now besides no longer having dreads, actually enjoying wearing my glasses and my switch from totally militant afro-centric clothing is life has happen and doubt has tried to creep into my psyche.  The key word here is being has TRIED.

Where I am today is not necessary where I pictured myself, all those years ago.  However, I have no regrets.  My experiences the good and the bad have shaped me and brought me to the place where my reliance is not in my own works, but in God.  It’s kind of funny.  One of my good friends recently told me God had to slow me down for me to finally stop and listen to what he has been trying to tell me for years.  Which is again as my mom used to say…”If you do your best God will do the rest”.

I have put all my faith / trust on that statement and now have put it all to rest.  As I do my part I know that God is out there working on my behalf.  For as his daughter and one of his willing servants I can expect nothing less from him.  He has already shown me how much he loves me and he desires only the best for me most importantly thorough loving correction and rebuke.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

One of the definitions of the word “forward” is moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front. As a child of God and a joint heir with Christ; I will continue to do and say things that will show evidence that I am not the tail but the head. I choose to be tutored by the Holy Spirit and guided by my heavenly father’s love. My heart is to serve and through my servant-hood I will gain the more!

The words that come out your mouth have more power than you can ever imagine. They define you. The Bible says in Psalm 45:1 KJV “… my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” What you speak and confess over yourself and others has the ability to produce results. Your words are like seeds. Depending on the ground/person or situation you sow them into they can flourish or die. They can even come back to haunt you. So be careful of the words you use.

If you are not sure of their meaning use wisdom and pick up a dictionary. Make sure that the words that proceed from your lips are those that you want to stand as a living testimony of your life.

Here are few scriptures for you to mediate on:

2 Samuel 23:2 KJV – The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

Job 5:21 KJV – Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Job 6:24 KJV – Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Job 7:24 KJV – My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Psalm 34:13 KJV – Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalm 37:30 KJV – The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Psalm 45:1 KJV – My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

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When I was a little girl I used to love blowing bubbles.  Just to imagine getting my little hands on a tube of soapy water and a bubble making wand would put a smile on my face.  I would run as the trail of bubbles followed me.  Attempt to beat my own biggest bubble record before having it burst gently on my nose.

Now, I am well passed my elementary school years, however I do still like to keep a tube of bubbles close by.  Why? Simply because I always want to remember those simpler times, when my only concerns were that I remembered to take a bath, brushing my teeth, and making my bed.  And oh yes not having my Mama figure out, that I had hidden another book underneath my bed to read after lights out.

So with my bubble making wand in my hand…I am taking a pause.  Remembering those simpler times again.