As the director of women’s ministry at my church, one of my roles is to lead a women’s Bible Study and occasionally a Sunday School class. I’m always looking for new books that will address the needs of women who live in a high stress world yet desire intimacy with Christ.

One book that has caught my eye several times is Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. I’ve always been drawn to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, but even as a teenager I didn’t get Mary. I was born with Martha’s temperament. I naturally see what needs to happen. I look for ways to serve others, to fill needs.

But I also want to live like Mary and just sit at Jesus’ feet and soak in His words and presence. The only trouble is if I sit still, I either fall asleep or think of the million things that still need to be done. I was afraid this book would make me feel even more guilty for not sitting like Mary. And I also wasn’t sure I really wanted that. I mean, I like being a Martha. The world needs Martha’s — you know it would fall apart without them. And God did create me this way.

Then Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World arrived in the mail. I didn’ t have an excuse to wonder about the book. Now I could pick it up and read through it — see what it had to offer. I haven’t finished it yet, but I am savoring it. The book is balanced on the Mary/Martha question , and the author actually shows how Martha did gain a Mary side without losing what made her Martha.

To explore the book yourself, click on the link. It will take you to CBD’s website where you can see the table of contents as well as the first chapter. I think many of us could learn a lot about balance without ignoring who God created us to be. Some Mary’s and some Martha’s.

You can learn more about this book and the author’s contest by visiting the blog page for the blog tour.