MARTHA

When at first Martha served she was distracted  

She scurried to the larder then to the pantry,

Ducked out to gather some salad from the garden,

And starting anxious she quickly ended angry  

"Dost Thou not care?" she boldly chid the Master

But had from Him a mild rebuke as answer.

His patience worked and through the dire disaster

Upon the family Christ's great compassion

Reforged her spirit to be a greater Martha;

If still she served with undiminished ardour

Her ordered service was not alloyed with rancour

Since Christ, not self, was object of her actions.