I am Martha, and I’m beginning to realize how to deal with that

By Tiffany Wood

Every time I read the story of Mary and Martha, I feel convicted. However, I also feel sympathetic for Martha. The dinner doesn’t make itself, people!

Clearly this is something I’m still working on. In fact, I found myself falling into the Martha trap around Thanksgiving. I was hosting 20-plus people at my new house and wanted everyone to have a great experience. I was really trying not to stress. I even had people bringing food so I could limit my cooking and enjoy time with family. (They were very willing, too, since I’m not the family cook!) And yet, I found myself cleaning and scurrying around the whole day before, wearing myself and my family out before the event even happened. Can you relate?

After hours of this rushing around, I finally remembered what someone said to me recently, “The goal is the relationship.” A nice dinner is always special, but if I’m not able to sit and be with the people I love, or if I’m worried about something spilling on the carpet while they use their hands to talk, I’m probably missing the real reason for the gathering.

Missing the real reason

Martha was missing it too. She was caught up in the moment, and I like to think Jesus stopped her in her tracks. He had a powerful perspective, because he knew this would be the last time he would celebrate with them like this. And he knew this time was more important than the food or the cleaning or any other part of the day (see Luke 10: 38-42).

I believe this is true of our time with Jesus. We can let it get lost in the busyness of the day or season, but it is the most important thing. Not just because it helps us feel better or makes us better people or gives us patience to deal with that crazy cousin (or aunt, or brother, you get my point!). It’s the most important thing because IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. Love God. Love people.

I still catch myself wanting to roll my eyes when people tell me to slow down and enjoy it, but I know they are right. I know we aren’t promised tomorrow. I know the people we get to see and love today may not be here tomorrow. I also believe that while it blesses us and refocuses us on what is most important, it delights God.

Discovering true love

I remember putting my daughter to bed when she was a few months old. At that time, sitting with her before bed was my favorite part of the day. It was peaceful, and I felt genuinely content. As I sat with her one night, I was overwhelmed with love for her, and I realized that my daughter wasn’t doing anything to earn my love. She was a baby. She couldn’t say I love you; she couldn’t compliment me; she couldn’t do any work to help or buy me gifts. She was just letting me hold her. And in those moments, I could see in her resting and contented face that she loved me.

It struck me then that the Lord probably feels this way when we come just to sit with him, when we show him we love him and receive his love by just resting in his presence. It’s hard to slow down and it’s hard to believe that just being is enough, but I believe committing to spend these moments with the Lord will help you discover this truth and learn to trust God enough to be still and to spend some time with him and his people this holiday season. 

 Lord, thank you that you love us and that we can spend time with you. Thank you for time with loved ones. Help us to slow down and focus on what really matters and to help others see your love through us. Amen.

Scripture to consider:

Luke 10: 38-42: Mary and Martha
Matthew 7: 11: Good gifts
Luke 12:22-31: Seek his kingdom
John 11:1-44: Raising Lazarus
Matthew 13:1-23: Parable of the seed

Tiffany Wood serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at Point University. She has worked at Point for 14 years. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Georgia Tech. Her husband, Taylor, is also a Ramblin Wreck and they have two awesome children: Caroline (8) and Graham (5).

 Photo by SHVETS production at Pexels.com.

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