Jesus Loved Them, Part 4: Two sisters, two choices, top priority
Martha’s complaints may sound familiar to caregivers because they’ve said or thought something similar themselves.
“Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?”
Some caregivers get plenty of help—from family members or concerned friends or competent hired assistants.
But others struggle. Family is far away, either physically or emotionally. Agencies provide helpers who are unreliable or only marginally competent.
And even those who have the most help sometimes feel burdened by the weight of their responsibilities and trapped by the unending drip, drip, drip of duty. No one can completely understand what they face; it’s easy for a caregiver to feel alone.
Like Martha, they are “worried and upset about many things,” more, in fact, than what she was handling. Her job was to get a meal on the table. Caregivers must not only plan and prepare one meal, but meals for every day, plus medicine, bathing, toileting, housework, doctor appointments, and more. Many things, indeed!
It may be difficult for a caregiver to believe what Jesus told Martha. “Few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus talk while Martha worked. What was Jesus telling her? Surely not, “Forget about the meal. Who cares if we eat tonight?” He was fully human, flesh and blood, and he would be hungry like everyone else there that evening.
It’s not that everyday responsibilities are not important, but Jesus stressed they’re not the priority. It’s good to fix dinner; it’s “better” to digest the meaning of life offered by the Son of God.
Thoughtful believers find ways to handle both. But they find in Jesus what’s most vital. He promises life and nurture and peace. Nothing gives what he offers. No one provides the calm he promises.
Seeking him first is a challenge for everyone who decides to follow him. Especially for caregivers, the chaos or confusion swirling in their hearts can distract them from Jesus.
Today’s story reminds us why remembering him is worth the effort.
Read: Luke 10:38-42
Pray: Lord, we know you don’t condemn us when we forget you. But we also believe you help us in new and better ways when we keep you first. We vow to keep our eyes and ears on you this week.
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