Granny, just plain Granny, was a character we all, staff and kids alike, loved. I was in charge of the children’s ministry and Shirley was the pianist, lover of kids and my partner in everything that went on in Children’s Ministry. Shirley decided to stretch herself by developing a grandma costumed character. Granny was the old-fashioned variety, not at all like the modern Granny I envision myself being. (Don’t laugh! I’m a hip Nana! That’s what everyone said after that picture someone posted of me Sunday!)
She wore what my mama’s generation called a house dress. It buttoned down the front and hung below the knees. Her shoes were out-dated high tops. She dressed sorta like Vicki Lawrence’s Mama character. But instead of being critical and demeaning, she was warm and loving.
When she was on the schedule to tell a story, I announced, “Oh, there’s Granny!” as I selected one of the children to open the door and help her into the class. My intention was to encourage respect and good etiquette, but to them, it was a special treat. Granny entered the room slowly and deliberately, leaning heavily on her cane and then lowered herself into an awaiting rocking chair at the front.
The first time our special Granny entered the room, I was surprised how the children responded. Almost as if on cue, the children moved down front and gathered around her rocking chair. They moved in close, politely, even quietly. Sitting on the floor, they hung on every word. The subsequent weeks weren’t always so quiet, but Granny could calm them almost instantly. That picture of kids of all ages sitting at Granny’s feet while they listened to Granny’s stories is a treasured memory.
She loved those children and they knew it.
They wanted to come close.
Granny, aka Shirley, saw it in their faces…in their eyes. They loved her and they wanted to hear what she had to say. No one encouraged them to move, that was never our intention, however, they simply responded to her by moving close.
That’s what Mary did, the Mary in the Bible. Jesus was at their house. Actually, it was Martha’s house, but she and their brother Lazrus lived there too. Martha was cooking, which she always seemed to be doing. Martha, I know the feeling! …but unlike me you weren’t known as the smoke alarm queen. The other day I put some chicken in the crock pot on high, when I got home I had chicken jerky on the bone. It was rock hard and I’m not exaggerating. Sorry….
But Mary moved close as she heard Jesus talking.
I’m not sure she actually intended to melt onto the floor at His feet, but somehow that’s where she ended up. I wonder if she was still mindlessly holding the dish rag as she lowered herself to be near Jesus.
There was just something about Him.
- His life changing words.
- The power and authority that He spoke them with.
- His love.
- His miracles.
Without being coerced, she simply sat at His feet.
It wasn’t a position of fear…she wasn’t under His feet…she was at His feet.
- It wasn’t a defeated position
- nor a cowering position
No. At His feet was a place to
- learn
- heal
- worship
There is no doubt she was
curious
hopeful
engaged
It was a place
she could see Him
…hear Him
she wouldn’t be distracted
she could watch His facial expressions
she could feel His touch.
She seems to be drawn there naturally, like the children were to Granny.
And that’s where Martha, busy, energetic, accomplished Martha found her–sitting at Jesus feet. While she had been stirring the cook pot, turning the bread and bringing water. Greeting guests. Smiling as if she didn’t have a hundred things to do before they sat down to eat. If all the disciples were there with Jesus, then she had a huge, hungry bunch of men waiting for something to eat. And her job, was to prepare hearty, great tasting food and serve it in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. And it was especially overwhelming, when she realized her help was sitting idle while she worked.
Shierking her duties?
-
her guests?
-
their needs?
But Jesus had a different view of the situation than Martha.
He always sees the heart of the matter.
Jesus saw
A hungry heart Luke 10:39
A hurting heart John 11:32
A worshipful heart John 12:3
The way Jesus saw it…
Mary was very busy. She was simply choosing to come close.
She was taking care of the one thing that really mattered the most. The vital thing and He would not deprive her of the one thing that mattered the most. Mary recognized the one thing, so she positioned herself accordingly.