Mary AND Martha

“The Martha in me and the Mary in me have to live simultaneously.”

"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.’”  Luke 10:40-42

The alarm goes off, it’s 5am. Exhaustion is weighing my eyelids. I pad out to the kitchen to get the coffee started so I can attempt to think. The laundry needs started if I’m going to get 1 load to the dryer before I have to leave, and the load on the couch needs folded. The dishwasher needs unloading, the dishes by the sink need put away, and a few in the sink need washed real quick like. Daily medicine needs put out. So many thoughts are running through my head- “Did I pre-pack my lunch last night? Ugh, I didn’t because we got home so late I didn’t have the energy. What can I grab for breakfast to take with me? I need to figure out when I can go grocery shopping and meal plan around sports.” 

A whisper. Pray for the mama who has a health thing. 

I hear the oldest up and moving, a good sign. Thankful that one is self-sufficient. I go upstairs to wake the boys. I step on a Lego, there’s stuff everywhere. Things didn’t get put away as told yesterday. I do my best to ignore and not implore at this early hour, we have too much to do. I gently prod them a couple more times to get moving. 

A whisper. Pray for Husband who is coming home from work this morning. Pray he got rest overnight. 

I gather and situate things that need to go with us this morning. More thoughts running through my head- “Did the trash go up the driveway? Did the plants get covered to protect from frost? When can I get a run in this week?” 

I pack clothes for after school, for myself and for kids that might be with me at the track meet or baseball game, or both. I think of dinner and how I can possibly feed everyone when I’m not around to actually prepare food. I yell up the stairs “Everyone up?! Please get ready!!” Three times a kid comes in the bathroom to ask questions while I’m getting ready. 

A whisper. Pray for the friend who needs guidance. Parenting direction. Just endurance, stamina. 

Dog out and fed. Check to make sure everyone is taking medicine, packing lunches, eating breakfast, wearing socks, packing bags for after school sports with enough clothing to keep warm, brushing teeth, remembering forms that needed signed, homework that needs turned in. Round everyone up and rush out the door to go to the bus stop. Pray with the kids over their day, their light, their middle school roles. 

A whisper. Pray for the exciting thing that a friend has happening. Guidance & discernment. 

I breathe out when I’m alone in the car driving to work. I talk to Him. I’ve heard His whispers to me all morning, making His presence known, felt. This is the way it has to be right now in my life. The Martha in me and the Mary in me have to live simultaneously. They have to be cohesive. 

I have to serve my family, I want to. 

But I also have to sit at the feet of Jesus, I need to. 

So, in this season, sitting at His feet looks like getting ready and herding my family out the door. But at times it also looks like being afforded a run with a sermon while a kid practices or a deep Bible study while in the car waiting. It’s a balance of stewarding my blessings (relationships, family) well while also making specific time to sit at His feet. 

Action Steps:

• Today make a list of the blessings in your life that need stewarding. (i.e. marriage, each kid, house, job etc.) When everything feels chaotic and overwhelming, bust out this list to remind yourself that it’s all a gift entrusted to you specifically. Like, to you only. Do you hear the weight of that? He didn’t trust anyone else but you with that list!

• “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Look up different translations of this verse. Ruminate on it. Let God reveal to you what being still looks like for you. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that when I’m overwhelmed and having a very Martha day that I would remember to sit at Your feet like Mary. Help the Mary in me and the Martha in me work together and live simultaneously. You are so good to me. Amen. 

Written by Abbey, an exhausted mom to 3 trying to make it out the door