At His Feet

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one.” Luke 10:41–42

The house needed attention, dinner still needed to be made, and my mind was already thinking about everything tomorrow would require. There are days when I feel like I carry everyone else while quietly falling apart myself.

Jesus came to visit the home of Mary and Martha. While Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to Him speak, Martha stayed busy serving, preparing, and trying to take care of everything that needed to be done.

The mom in me understands Martha.

I can almost picture her moving quickly from one task to another, trying to make everything perfect while becoming more overwhelmed by the minute.

Because sometimes love looks like carrying things nobody else even notices.

We remember the appointments, fold the laundry, plan ahead, clean up the messes, and keep going even when we are exhausted. After a while, exhaustion can quietly turn into frustration.

Martha looked at Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet while she worked and finally said what was probably building in her heart the entire time:

“Lord, don’t You care?”

Honestly, I know that feeling well. Trying to do everything while my mind and emotions are already exhausted. That question feels more real to me than I want to admit.

God, do You see how much I’m carrying?

Do You see how tired I am?

Does anyone notice how overwhelmed I feel?

But what I love most about this story is how gently Jesus responded. He did not shame Martha for being overwhelmed. He did not tell her she was failing. Instead, He lovingly reminded her:

“You are worried and upset about many things…”

Jesus saw beyond the serving and into her heart. Martha was so focused on taking care of everything around her that she forgot to slow down and simply be with Him.

I think many of us live there.

Our bodies keep moving while our hearts quietly grow tired. We become so consumed with responsibilities, schedules, expectations, and taking care of everyone else that we forget our souls need rest too.

Meanwhile, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus.

Not because she was lazy or she did not care.

She wasn’t trying to avoid responsibility. She was simply choosing to be near Jesus.

That hits me deeply because I know what it feels like to measure my worth by how much I get done. To feel guilty resting while things still need done. To believe slowing down means I am falling behind.

But Jesus never asked Martha to carry everything perfectly.He only asked her to come close.

The dishes would still be there later. The laundry would still need folded. The responsibilities would still exist tomorrow. But Martha’s soul needed rest more than another completed task.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Today, I do not need to have everything perfectly together. I just need to sit at His feet for a while.

Reflection

What responsibilities or pressures have been weighing heavily on you lately?

In what ways have you been trying to carry more than God ever asked you to carry?

What would it look like to slow down and spend time at Jesus’ feet this week?

Prayer

Dear God,

You see the pressure I carry and the exhaustion I try to hide. Help me remember that my worth is not found in how much I accomplish.

Teach me to slow down, rest in Your presence, and trust You with the things I cannot control.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.