# Martha — A Day at a Time character guide

> Martha in A Day at a Time by Archibald Alexander.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** VIII The Real Martha

**First appearance:** 0010-viii-the-real-martha

## Snapshot

The energetic, practical sister of Bethany whose well-ordered home gave Jesus rest, and whose kitchen-worry has been unfairly remembered ever since.

## Who they are

Martha is the robust, capable counterweight to her dreamy sister Mary, the one whose housewifely skill made Bethany a genuine haven for a homeless Master. Her famous moment of irritation, when serving eclipsed sitting at His feet, has been used to diminish her, but Alexander insists she served Christ in the way she served best. She matters because she forces the book's readers to ask whether practical devotion has ever been given its due, or only apologized for.

## Relationships

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_friendship_

Jesus shares a close, hospitable friendship with Martha, who often serves and hosts him.

### [Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/characters/mary)

_family_

Martha and Mary are sisters, often working together in service to Jesus but with contrasting temperaments.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_friendship_

Jesus shares a close, hospitable friendship with Martha, who often serves and hosts him.

## In the story

### [VIII: The Real Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/chapters/viii-the-real-martha)

Portrayed as a robust, practical, and energetic woman whose capable household management is a genuine service to Jesus, though she becomes anxious and cross when overburdened.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/characters/martha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/characters