Mary, Martha, And Me Quotes

“All too frequently in today's world, a Christian is defined on the basis of the horizontal relationship between oneself and "neighbor" rather than the vertical relationship with Deity. In this distorted view of Christianity, our relationship with others becomes more important than loving God, having faith in Christ, and being a devoted disciple of His gospel. If God isn't first, sooner or later He will simply be a nice embellishment to our lives. When we put God first, we are empowered to love each other better, even if our love is not at first understood. The trouble is that too often we ignore things that should be first in our lives and go after secondary things, thereby losing both.”
― Camille Fronk Olson, Mary, Martha, And Me: Seeking the One Thing That Is Needful

“The concept of waiting seems counterintuitive in a frantic, chaotic world. Nothing less than instant gratification is acceptable in such a society. We want results today, eliminating all consternation from the unknown. Perhaps that is one reason why scripture reinforces that our responsibility in salvation depends not upon our merits but on our faith in Christ. And faith in Christ requires us to wait for Him....

For those who faithfully wait, the Lord promised compensatory blessings to enable success and fulfillment: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Mary and Martha experienced that requisite waiting and the Lord's abundant response when their brother Lazarus fell seriously ill and died.”
― Camille Fronk Olson, Mary, Martha, And Me: Seeking the One Thing That Is Needful

“From assorted challenges, diverse gifts, unique personalities, and varied contributions, Mary and Martha lead us to the Necessary One--Jesus Christ. Like the sisters of Bethany, we do not fully acknowledge Him as necessary until we confront our lost and fallen condition without Him. Most often that occurs when we face a crisis greater than alternative methods can help us to survive. In such dire circumstances, when neither our finest skills nor those of anyone else on earth are effective, we become profoundly humble. We cry out to the One who is necessary, and we wait--wait for Him--because we realize that no other power can rescue us.”
― Camille Fronk Olson, Mary, Martha, And Me: Seeking the One Thing That Is Needful

“Simplifying our temporal environment leads to discovery in the spiritual environment. Finding Christ opens the world we yearn to enter but cannot fathom on our own.”
― Camille Fronk Olson, Mary, Martha, And Me: Seeking the One Thing That Is Needful

“Realizing that we become recipients in the process of serving may explain why we are never really comfortable being called a "good Samaritan." In reaching out to help others, we are nourished and strengthened in return. Selfless service successfully rendered manifest in the servant both a giving and an accepting heart. A Christlike servant knows that she never does all the giving; if she will allow it, the one she serves gives her much in return. A true servant also graciously receives.”
― Camille Fronk Olson, Mary, Martha, And Me: Seeking the One Thing That Is Needful