What Did She Do Next?

I love a good story.  I love the way an author can use words to pull you into another place, another time, another life.  I love the way details help to flesh out a story or a character.

Especially a character.  Reading about someone's feelings, background, actions, reactions all intrigue me and help me get lost in the story.

If I'm honest this is what sometimes makes reading the Bible difficult for me.  Those details often aren't included. The stories sometimes leave us hanging.  (I guess that's why I enjoy Christian fiction authors like Francine Rivers so much.  She's able to bring the Bible stories & characters to life...based on biblical fact but her own imagination fills in the blanks.)

One of the stories in the Bible that I keep coming back to is the story of Mary and Martha.  It's one that speaks to me so much in this stage of life.  I've mentioned before that I so often feel like Martha.  Overwhelmed.  Overworked.  Stressed.

But, as I was reading the story again the other day, I was left wondering and imagining.
After Jesus said to Martha, "Martha, Martha.  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." (Luke 10:41-42. NIV) the story ends.

Boom.  Over.

Here is what I really want to know....What did Martha do next?  What was her response?

Did she stomp away annoyed and even more upset that she didn't get the help she was expecting?

Did she find a quiet place to cry overwhelmed by Jesus' words?

Did she feel chastised?  ashamed?

Did she sit down and listen alongside Mary?

Did she simply go back to her preparations perplexed by Jesus' words?

What did she do?

As I thought about it more, I slowly started to realize that it's not really important what Martha's response was.  (And, someday in eternity we can discuss it at length).  What matters is OUR response.