56371

Joanna says in the first chapter, “Just mention the names Mary and Martha around a group of Christian women and you’ll get knowing looks and nervous giggles. We’ve all felt the struggle. We want to worship like Mary, but the Martha inside keeps bossing us around.” Isn’t that true?
Throughout this book, Joanna takes us on a journey, her journey, our journey, from being in a kitchen surrounded by menus, grocery lists, dishes, and all the junk that seems to accumulate on the counters and the kitchen table, to the living room, sitting calmly at the foot of Jesus, soaking in every word and not feeling guilty about our “to do lists”.
She finally ends this book with a revelation that you can do both, it doesn’t have to be one or the other, so long as we put Jesus first then “both of us” can become one. Surrendering all to Jesus. The struggle doesn’t end, we are after all humans and we constantly fail, but we have Jesus to pick us up, dust us off, and say “Follow me”.
You’ll love this book, just like I did. The writing was excellent and the stories compelling. You’ll want, just like me, to go out and get her other books. ( )

The low rating is 100% my problem. I wanted a factual, referenced, historically-insightful information in at least one of the chapters. But, in this instance, it was mostly a memoir. And my expectations were dashed. So, if you're looking for a memoir, this might be for you. But it wasn't for me. ( )

An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough... isn't loving enough... isn't doing enough. The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet... but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him... yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy. This book includes a twelve-week Bible study.

I really enjoyed this book, and not only because the author had a lot of insight, but she wrote from the perspective of learning along with the reader. I could identify with her struggles and discoveries. I took my time reading this, not even a chapter a day, but more like a section a day. No pressure, and a chance to think about the lessons to learn. I highly recommend this book. ( )