Being Present in Our Relationships

 

 “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” 

–Luke 10:41-42

“Mary has chosen the better part.” Jesus makes it clear that Martha’s working to prepare dinner was good; Mary’s stillness and being present to Him was better.

Jesus acknowledged that it took a lot of work to prepare a meal: “you’re worried about many things.” He wanted Martha to see, though, that stressing over her to-do list was keeping her away from Him and the other guests, and was fueling hostile feelings toward her sister. By supporting Mary’s decision to ‘choose the better part,’ Jesus showed that taking a few moments to be with Him was more important than getting dinner on the table on time. Feeding the body was good; feeding the soul was better.

We, too, have many obligations; most of these are good and necessary. Sometimes, though, we get so wrapped up in trying to get everything done that we let our work get in the way of our relationships. We may be so ‘busy’ checking things off our list that we don’t make time for each other. We don’t stop to be present to each other and enjoy each other’s company. No matter what obligations we have, our relationships are more important than the doing.

Our relationship with the Lord, too, is more important than even our charitable work. We strengthen our relationship with Him when we take time to be present to Him. We can do this by sitting outside and thanking Him for all the beauty around us. We might sit still for a few moments, invite Him to pour His peace into our heart, and then notice what thoughts and feelings come our way. He loves us and will bless us whenever we offer our time to Him.

If we have so much to do that we think we don’t have time to stop and be present to each other or to God, then maybe we have taken on too much, or maybe we need to reevaluate what’s important and what’s more important.  

Did you ever wonder what happened after this scene in scripture? Maybe Martha had a change of heart. Maybe she wiped her hands, took off her apron, and sat down to listen to what Jesus had to say. Maybe she felt relaxed and filled with Jesus’ peace after spending time with Him. Maybe she learned that it didn’t matter if dinner was a little later than usual -- it was better to let our Lord feed her soul first.

“Lord, help me see how I can make time for the people who are important to me, including You.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell    

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