The Choice to be Present

To do lists never seem to end.

Dishes.

Laundry.

Yard work.

Insert your household chore of choice here.

Being good stewards of what we have is not a bad thing.

In fact, we are called to be good stewards.

To offer hospitality to others.

But sometimes in doing so, we forget that being still is not laziness, but the act of being present.

Mary understood this.

Instead of choosing to help her sister, she sat at the feet of Jesus, drinking in His every word.

I really want to be more like Mary, but sometimes my Martha heart stops me from being fully present with Him and the ones He has graciously put in my path.

The dishes will not go anywhere.

The laundry can wait.

The grass will get cut.

Friends, I am talking to myself here, but in case you are like me and need to hear it, too:

Go outside and swim with your friends.

Play that game with your kids.

Have coffee with someone who needs a listening ear.

Sit quietly and read His Word.

And even if you struggle putting down that to do list, remember this.

Jesus still called Martha beloved, even when she got caught up in the distractions around her.

He calls you beloved, too.

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated with finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭42‬ ‭TPT‬‬