Mary and Martha

Jesus came to visit two sisters named Mary and Martha. They were good friends of Jesus!

Martha wanted everything to be PERFECT for Jesus. She cooked and cleaned and rushed around getting everything ready. So much to do!

But Mary did something different. She sat down right at Jesus' feet and listened to Him talk. She just wanted to be with Him.

Martha got frustrated. 'Lord! Don't You see that Mary left me to do ALL the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'

But Jesus said gently, 'Martha, Martha. You're worried and stressed about so many things. But only ONE thing really matters. And Mary has chosen it. I won't take that away from her.'

Ouch! Martha was working SO hard for Jesus. But she was missing the most important thing—just BEING with Jesus.

This doesn't mean we should never help or work. Martha's serving was good! But she was so busy that she forgot to enjoy Jesus.

Mary knew that listening to Jesus was the best thing she could do. There would always be dishes to wash. But Jesus wouldn't always be sitting in their living room!

Sometimes we get so busy doing things FOR Jesus that we forget to spend time WITH Jesus. Reading the Bible, praying, just being quiet with Him—these matter most.

Don't be so busy that you miss Jesus!