Stop and Sit: the Story of Mary and Martha

Although I've read the story of Mary and Martha multiple times, God has been reminding me of some rich truths through it recently.

For those who aren't familiar with the story of Mary and Martha, we find it in Luke 10:38-42. The story goes as such...

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus enter a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.  But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

So we see in this text that Martha was the one who welcomed Jesus into her home and despite her efforts to serve Him, Jesus said that Mary was the one who had chosen the good portion.  All the while Martha was distracted with serving, Mary's good portion was sitting at the Lord's feet and listening to His instructions.

As any of you busy mama's out there can attest, it is often easy to become distracted with serving our children, husband, families, churches, etc. And yes we see in Scripture, we are to serve... but Jesus is communicating such a rich reminder in this text.  As Christian women, our priority is to cultivate a relationship with Jesus. And we see in this text, this happens through listening to Him (through His Word) and sitting at His feet (in prayer). This is our good portion.

I often find myself presenting God with excuses as to why I'm too busy to sit and meditate on His Word...Laundry to do, supper to cook, toilet clean, and the list goes on and on. However, these excuses come because my priorities aren't correct. I, like Martha, often get caught up in doing, doing, doing... and don't make it a priority to just to sit and listen to God. However, God has given me all the time I need....I just need to prioritize sitting at the Lord's feet and listening to His teachings. And it is in those moments that I am remind this is my good portion... and wow, is it so good for my soul!