Martha's Hands, Mary's Mind (C. R. Hallack)

  Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I’ve no time to be  

A saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with Thee,  

Or dreaming in the dawn-light, or storming Heaven’s gates,  

Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.  

  

Although I must have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind,  

And when I black the boots and shoes, Thy sandals, Lord, I find.  

I think of how they trod the earth, what time I scrub the floor:  

Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven’t time for more.  

  

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, and light it with Thy peace;  

Forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease.  

Thou who didst love to give men food, in room or by the sea,  

Accept this service that I do – I do it unto Thee.  

--Cecily Rosemary Hallack (1898-1938)

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