The Martha in Me

The lesson of Martha applies to so many areas of life, but these are some thoughts from a grandmother’s perspective. 

“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42).

I have read this scripture many times. However, I read it again recently, and it caught my attention. I couldn’t stop meditating on it. I began to think about “the Martha in me.”

As we know, Christ wasn’t saying that what Martha was doing was necessarily wrong. He was making a point to her that the important thing was for her to take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with and learn from Him while He was there in their midst.

Here’s how I applied my observations to the Martha in me.

I was missing out on “that good part” with our grandchildren

My husband and I have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. All of them live very far away, and we appreciate our children making the effort for us to be together with the grands as much as possible.

Now here’s the comparison part. When the grands come to visit, I always enjoy watching them wrap themselves around Poppy’s neck, racing to sit in his lap and laughing and loving on him with much joy. I asked myself, Why don’t they do this with me?

This question came from a good place, not a place of jealousy. I love watching them interacting with Poppy.

I finally came to realize that while I was busy with necessary things, like keeping their clothes clean, cooking and making sure everything went off smoothly, I was missing out on “that good part”—the loving, hugging, holding time. I was missing those quality times they and I both need. 

Grandchildren don’t care if the dishes aren’t washed right away or if dinner is served a little late from time to time.

Getting spiritual and physical priorities straight

Just as Jesus gently corrected Martha, His still quiet voice corrects all those He loves (Proverbs 3:12).

We, like Martha, must not only get our spiritual priorities straight, but also learn to manage our  physical priorities.

I found that reading the “Encourage, Equip & Inspire” article “Martha, Mary, and That Good Part: Putting First Things First” helped increase my understanding of “that good part.”

The lesson I learned from this scripture and my experience with my grandchildren is simple: Life is short, and they grow up fast. 

Although I have always known and felt the love of my grandchildren, I am thankful to recognize and take advantage of “that good part.” All the rest will take its place in line after that priority.

With each future visit, as a result of prioritizing physical demands, I will sit down with my lap filled with one grandchild or another and will enjoy every precious moment. 

I am thanking God for His gentle nudging of this physical lesson through a spiritual one. I hope it will help you as well. 

We grandmothers don’t want to be “worried and troubled about many things” that can cause us to miss out on “that good part.”

Judy Moore is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in East Texas.