Whenever I leave an Emmaus weekend I can’t help but feel a bit saddened that the friends I’ve made over the weekend will one day withdraw and some may even be forgotten. I know I’m aging myself but I’m reminded of the many episodes of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that I watched as a child. The stories always made me cry but they somehow had a happy ending. The words should have been, “Happy Tears To You” as they rode into the sunset, but instead they sang: 

Some trails are happy ones,

Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you 'till we meet again.

This past weekend I spent some very precious moments with seven extraordinary women. There were many other women at the retreat center but these particular seven women in one way or another changed my life. We sat at the table of Martha. Yes, the same Martha that had the lazy sister who didn’t help prepare the meal, help serve the meal, or help with the dishes. Martha was left with thousands of details that came with entertaining a special Guest. The table name was fitting for me. I am a “Martha” through and through. I'm sure some of you can relate.

Over this past weekend I found that I am also a Mary. I found myself listening to the 15 talks on Christianity with an opened mind and listening ears. Even though I’ve heard the talks before; this time they took on a whole new meaning. This time I listened as a Mary – not as a Martha. Through many testimonies and many tears I found that I’m not alone in my Mary/Martha world. I have seven new Christian sisters who share this way of thinking. Sometimes we listen and sometimes we minister to others so that they can listen. Sometimes we are the servants and sometimes we are able to sit at our Saviors feet.

At the table of Martha, we shared our families, life stories, and much laughter. We sang songs - some with motions that required mouth/hand coordination (Yikes, I was truly challenged there). We learned quickly what it means to “open the flood gates of heaven” as we went through numerous boxes of tissue. We learned to “Make a friend, be a friend, and introduce a friend to Christ.” We were given presence. That being the presence of Christ; the true Gift of the weekend wrapped in friendship (sisters in Christ).

If this were a Women of Faith conference we would take home: a twig, tissue box, ribbon, candle, Midol, starbursts, smiling cheese fish, confetti, colored napkins, steno pad, bell, potatoe head, rock, chapstick, and a hug. 

So when you think that the friendships you’ve made may fade, perhaps you should make a phone call. When you think the laughter may be forgotten, perhaps you should go visit. When you can no longer remember the tears that you've shared or the hugs you desperately needed, perhaps you should pray to the One who touched your heart and enabled you to love in the first place. Happy Tears To You – til we meet again.

Written by the Holy Spirit through Brenda Bates – October 2005

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus and his disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary.

Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered. "You are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her."

Prayer to the Father:

Abba Father, thank you for fellowship, friends, and family. We entered the weekend as complete strangers yet while taking the example of Mary, we were able to set aside our Martha ways and sit at your feet to learn more about You. What a beautiful gift we were given when we are able to look past the details, the tasks, and the turmoil of life to focus completely and solely on YOU. Lord I ask that you watch over my sisters and brothers in Christ so that they too can sit at Your feet and experience the presence that only You can give. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Who do you think that I am?