A Choice To Make - Fresh Start for Moms

I LOVE THE STORY of Mary and Martha. And really, I don’t know why, because I’m a total Martha. That is highlighted by the fact that I have a twin sister who is a total Mary. I’d be the one tattling on my sister for not working hard enough (and I have been). I’d be the one focused on the task instead of the people (and I have been). In my head, I think I’m doing the tasks for people, which is why I never understood why Jesus didn’t seem to appreciate Martha’s hard work. She had tidied up and made the food and was waiting on her guests. How could that still not be good enough for Jesus? I think we all know there’s a time for both sitting and doing, but what made Mary’s decision in this case a better one?

Here’s the story from Luke 10:38-42:

As they were traveling along, [Jesus] entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (NASB).

When I read this, the Holy Spirit pressed on me something I hadn’t noticed before: Martha thought she didn’t have a choice. Mary knew she did.

Martha thought the house stuff had to be done. Mary saw it as an option that paled in comparison to sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Martha wasn’t going to be able to rest and focus until the chores were done. Mary knew there would always be chores and therefore there’s always a choice to make.

The words used to describe Martha are distracted, worried, and bothered, while the text says that Mary listened intently and chose what was best. The result was a distracted heart for Martha. Mary faced the same possible distractions but chose something different.

Our days are made up of a series of choices. When we wallow in the idea that we have no say in our lives and we must do the laundry and shuttle kids to after-school activities, a lie is planted in our hearts. The result is distraction and frustration with anyone who doesn’t seem to work as hard as we do. On top of that, we’re still left feeling not good enough.

Have you ever been frustrated with your husband for sitting around while you clean after the kids go to bed? This happened a lot when I was a new mom, and when I talked to Tyler about it, he would say that the mess just didn’t bother him the way it did me. He made it seem like it was my choice to clean, which only made me madder. It didn’t feel like a choice. It felt like something that had to get done.

But being the limited humans we are, we can’t possibly do all the things we think have to get done. So yes, vacuuming is a choice. Boy, I hope it’s a choice I make every once in a while at least, but it’s a choice nonetheless.

I never want to live distracted from the Father because I’m doing things I feel I have no choice but to do. I don’t want to live as if spending time in his presence is something I can’t choose daily. I don’t want to live with these excuses on the tip of my tongue:

• I can’t read my Bible. I have to get the laundry done.
• I can’t volunteer for that. I have to make sure I’m home each night to tuck the kids in.
• I can’t sit at the feet of Jesus. There are people at the shelter who need another bowl of soup.

We have choices to make. Will we assume we have no choice at all? Or will we realize we have a choice and choose what is essential, like Mary did?

ACTION STEP

Notice all the choices you have to make today. Is there something you can choose not to do today so you can sit at the feet of Jesus?

PRAYER

Father, you know my responsibilities are many, and it’s hard for me to figure out what’s essential. Help me to sift through the choices and let only what’s essential shake out. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MORNING QUESTIONS

TAKEAWAY TODAY | Would you say you are more of a Martha or a Mary?

What tends to get in the way of you sitting at Jesus’ feet?

DREADING TODAY | Is there anything you’re dreading today?

REDEFINING TODAY | If so, what is another way you can view that thing you’re dreading?

ASKING GOD TODAY | What request are you bringing before the Lord today?

EVENING QUESTIONS

REFLECTION | Did you have any Mary moments today? What tough choices did you have to make for those moments to happen?

LITTLE VICTORIES | Where did you see God show up even in small ways, reminding you that you aren’t alone?

WHITE FLAG MOMENTS | When did you want to hide or escape today?

MEMORY OF THE DAY | What do you want to relish and thank God for?