Rest for the Weary Workin’ Mama Soul, a 7-Day Devotional by KeNosha WhiteheadSample

Day 4: The Priority of Rest

The notion of rest, let alone of living a rest-filled life, is counterintuitive and downright impractical for most workin’ mamas. And suppose rest is the direct result of developing an authentic and active relationship with Jesus. In that case, the rest we desire feels even more beyond reach as spending quality time with God becomes another to-do to squeeze into the already ridiculously long to-do list.

But despite the long days of work and long(er) nights of snuggling and hustling young ones, we must prioritize our time in the presence of God. Simply put, there is no rest for the weary apart from a thriving relationship with the Lord.

Most importantly, between the distraction of busyness and the fruitfulness of intimacy, Jesus has affirmed intimacy with him to be the better choice.

Once upon a time, a dear, hospitable woman named Martha opened her home to Jesus and his disciples. Martha hurriedly prepared for her guests while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’s feet, listening to and learning from him. (Sound familiar? Remember in Matthew 11:29 when, in his formula for rest, Jesus advised, “Let me teach you” or “learn from me” (NKJV).) Martha was frustrated by Mary’s seeming lack of consideration in letting her do all the work. Martha confronted Jesus, saying, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40b (NLT)

In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Ouch! Now, let’s be honest, as workin’ mamas, most of us likely identify more with Martha’s posture and perspective than with Mary’s. I hear us in homes worldwide co-signing and echoing Martha’s sentiments. Jesus, tell [insert the name of your husband and/or chore-age child] to help me! Don’t you care that after I have worked all day, my family left me to do all this housework alone? (A shameless shout-out to my helpful husband, about whom this frustration is rarely true)

Much to our surprise, Jesus takes Mary’s side. He clarifies and affirms that sitting at his feet, listening to him, and communing with him is the better choice, certainly better than being worried and upset about many things when, indeed, only one thing is needed—prioritized engagement with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

When to turn off workin’ mama mode to sit and still yourself in God’s presence may be difficult to gauge on a daily basis. But I propose that when we feel weary or burdened or behave in a worried or upset manner, we likely need to quickly switch gears to the better choice of finding rest at his feet. And I believe that no matter what the day’s hectic calendar may hold, just as Jesus expressed about Mary, the better choice will not be taken away from you.

Reflection Questions

Do I relate more to Martha’s busyness or Mary’s posture of sitting at the feet of Jesus? Why?

How do I prioritize spending time with the Lord amid my daily responsibilities as a working mom?