The Story of Martha and Mary: Luke 10:38-42

As a mother of two, I’ve often felt the pull in a hundred different directions. Between raising my girls, managing the household, and keeping up with work, there were many days I found myself overwhelmed and wondering if I’d ever get a break. Then, I came across the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42, and it changed my perspective on what truly matters. I want to share this story with you today because it’s one that has spoken to my heart, and I believe it will touch yours too.

The Story of Martha and Mary: A Lesson in Priorities

In Luke 10, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha, like many of us, was busy preparing and serving, ensuring everything was perfect for her guest. She was overwhelmed with the tasks at hand and frustrated that her sister, Mary, was simply sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His teachings instead of helping with the work. Martha finally spoke up, asking Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

But what Jesus said next is something that I’ve carried with me: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42, NIV)

Are We More Like Martha or Mary?

I’ll be honest with you—there have been countless times I’ve been a "Martha." Running around, trying to get everything done, making sure every detail is perfect, and in the process, missing out on what’s truly important. I can’t count the number of nights I spent worrying about things that, in hindsight, weren’t nearly as urgent as I thought they were.

But here’s the thing: Jesus wasn’t rebuking Martha for working hard; He was simply reminding her, and us, that there’s a time and place to slow down, to sit at His feet, and to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with Him.

The One Thing That’s Truly Needed

As a mother, it’s easy to feel like we need to do everything ourselves. We want to be the perfect parent, provide for our children, and make sure they have the best of everything. But the truth is, the "one thing" that’s truly needed, as Jesus said, is to spend time in His presence. To slow down, take a deep breath, and remember that in all our busyness, we need to prioritize our relationship with Him.

In those quiet moments when I choose to set aside the never-ending to-do list and spend time in prayer or reading the Bible, I find a peace that carries me through even the toughest days. And let me tell you, it’s in those moments that I’m reminded that God is in control, not me. He is the one who provides, strengthens, and sustains us.

How to Find Balance in a Busy World

If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered, "How can I balance everything and still find time for God?" Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1. Start Your Day with God: I’ve found that when I take even just a few minutes in the morning to pray or read scripture, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. It doesn’t have to be long, but it makes a world of difference.

2. Let Go of Perfection: Martha was stressed because she wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus. But He wasn’t concerned with how spotless her home was or how well the meal was prepared. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection rob you of the peace that comes from simply being present with God.

3. Be Present in the Moment: Whether you’re spending time with your family or in prayer, be fully present. Don’t let the distractions of life take away from those precious moments.

4. Prioritize What’s Truly Important: It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, but take a step back and ask yourself, "What really matters?" For me, it’s my relationship with God and my daughters. Everything else can wait.

What Does It Look Like to Choose “What Is Better”?

It’s one thing to say that we need to prioritize our time with God, but what does that look like in our everyday lives? For many of us, it feels almost impossible to slow down. We’ve got schedules to keep, kids to take care of, work responsibilities, and endless tasks that won’t complete themselves. But here’s the good news—choosing “what is better” doesn’t mean we ignore our responsibilities. It means we invite Jesus into them.

1. Invite Jesus Into Your Day

I’ve learned that I don’t need to carve out hours of my day to feel close to God. Instead, I’ve started inviting Him into the moments that already exist. Whether I’m driving the kids to school, cooking dinner, or folding laundry, I can turn those moments into conversations with God. A simple prayer, a moment of gratitude, or even whispering His name can shift the atmosphere and remind me that I’m not doing this alone.

When I invite Jesus into my day, I’m choosing what is better because I’m acknowledging His presence in everything I do. He’s not just with me during my quiet time—He’s with me in the busyness, the chaos, and the mundane. And trust me, that changes everything.

2. Trust That God Knows Your Heart

One thing I used to struggle with was the feeling of guilt whenever I didn’t have enough time to spend in prayer or Bible study. I would beat myself up, thinking I wasn’t doing enough or that God was disappointed in me. But here’s the truth that brought me so much freedom: God knows your heart.

He sees your efforts, your desire to grow closer to Him, and your willingness to serve your family and others. While intentional time with Him is important, He’s not keeping a scorecard. What matters most is that we keep our hearts aligned with Him, even in the busy seasons of life. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, let go of that guilt. God understands, and He’s not expecting perfection—just a heart that seeks Him.

3. Find Moments of Rest in His Presence

I can’t stress this enough: life can be exhausting. As a single mom, I know the weariness that comes from juggling so many roles. But I’ve learned that true rest doesn’t come from a perfectly managed schedule—it comes from Jesus.

When Martha was busy working, Jesus didn’t tell her to stop serving. He simply invited her to shift her focus. And that’s what I’ve had to do. Instead of constantly running on empty, I’ve started to look for those small moments throughout my day where I can pause and take a deep breath in God’s presence. Whether it’s a few minutes in the car before picking up the kids or a quiet moment after they’ve gone to bed, I’ve found that these pauses are where I can hear God most clearly.

4. Stay Rooted in Scripture

One of the best ways to choose what is better, like Mary did, is by staying rooted in God’s Word. Even when life gets chaotic, scripture becomes my anchor. When I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, I turn to verses that remind me of God’s promises. One of my favorites is Psalm 46:10, where God says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s a simple verse, but it reminds me that in the stillness, He is in control.

I encourage you to find a few key verses that speak to your heart and keep them close. You can write them down, post them around your home, or even save them on your phone for easy access. These reminders of God’s presence and faithfulness will carry you through even the busiest and most difficult days.

Choosing the Better Path: A Lifelong Journey

Choosing what is better, as Jesus told Martha, is not a one-time decision. It’s a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, choice. It’s learning to say no to the noise of the world and yes to the quiet whispers of God. It’s prioritizing His voice above the demands of life. And while it’s not always easy, I’ve found that when I do, I’m not just a better mom—I’m a better version of myself.

Life will always be busy. But in the midst of the hustle, we have an opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus, just like Mary did, and be filled with His peace, strength, and wisdom. And the beautiful part? He’s always there, waiting for us to choose what is better.

A Prayer for Choosing What’s Better

Before we go, I want to invite you to join me in a short prayer:

“Lord, I thank You for Your constant presence in my life. In the busyness of my day, help me to pause and choose what is better. Help me to sit at Your feet, even in the middle of life’s chaos, and remind me that my worth is not in how much I accomplish but in being close to You. Give me the wisdom to prioritize my time with You and the grace to let go of the things that don’t truly matter. I trust You, Lord, with all that’s on my plate today. Amen.”

If this message encouraged you, I would love to hear how you balance the busy moments of life while keeping your focus on Jesus. Let’s continue to encourage one another as we learn to choose what is better—together.

And don’t forget—if this message spoke to you, share it with a friend who might need the same reminder!