Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Read Luke 10:38-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Verse 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. Verse 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." Verse 41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; Verse 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Devotion
Every day there is a list of things that have to be done at my house. Laundry needs tending, dishes need doing, meals need to be prepped, bills must be paid, and now and then it is nice to rid the house of those pesky dust bunnies that seem to love our family. Yet each day this list is interrupted by my four-year-old twins who say, "Mommy, can you come play with me?" "Mommy, watch this—Mommy, you're not watching!" Add the voices of my husband, our neighbors, our friends from church, and suddenly the struggle about what has to get done and what is most important is a great one.
The story of the sisters Mary and Martha always tugs at my heart. Jesus will eventually want dinner, but time sitting and listening to the Lord and to each other will be valued long after the meal is consumed and the dishes are put away. Maybe this story is meant to challenge us to pay attention to how our time is stewarded.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, this day belongs to you. Give us wisdom to do this day what is needed. Give us hearts to make time for relationships as well as tasks. Amen.