The Wise Woman Knows: 20 Minutes a Day to a Christ-Centered HomeSample

Identifying with Martha

Step One:  Start your time with the Lord by praying for yourself and your family and your day. For example, “Lord, Please help me to be a humble servant to my family. Help me to be more positive and encouraging, and to make it through my day in Your strength, and not my try to do it alone. Speak to my heart as I read today's devotional. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Step Two (Ten Minutes): Read the Scriptures and devotional. Write anything that stands out to you in your journal. 

I am one BUSY mom! I have five growing kids ranging from young adults down to a second-grader who has just lost her front two teeth! I keep non-stop busy managing a family of seven, including all the laundry, meal planning, party planning, shopping, bill paying, and carpooling. Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Guess what—I love it all! I guess I’ve been conditioned to be busy, but I also thrive at it. Being a homemaker comes naturally to me. I love all the planning, preparing, getting things accomplished and crossed off my list. Anyone else out there like me?

Homemaking isn’t just about making our homes beautiful places to live or crossing chores off a list—it’s also about nurturing and pouring into the lives of those the Lord has placed in our care.

Sister, the truth is—busyness can rob me of the MORE important things like time with Jesus and making special daily memories with my family.

My struggle isn’t in getting things done but in slowing down to smell the roses so to speak. My problem is that once my plate is empty, I fill it up with more to do! I am a Martha through and through! The reference to Martha in Scripture is often recognized as negative. It’s true she was too busy preparing for Jesus, that she missed out on sitting at His feet like her sister Mary. Sadly, she sacrificed being in the Lord’s presence by being too distracted by serving. Jesus actually rebuked her for not paying attention to what was more important. This Scripture definitely convicts me, as it should.

Martha’s story helps me put into perspective the importance of quiet time spent with the Lord.

Knowing the need to schedule time with my Savior first puts this priority at the top of my list. I don’t want to miss out on the sweet intimate time of conversing with Jesus in prayer or the glory of unabashed worship to Him. Time with Jesus fuels me! Reading God’s Word also equips me. The bonus is that God helps me organize my day when I give it to Him and ask Him to direct my steps. He also gives me motivation for things yet undone as well as time management to do what still is needed. Sister, making time for Jesus is MORE important!

Step Three (Five Minutes): Take five minutes to plan your day. Write down six things you would like to accomplish today. Ask God to help you! Have a wonderful day!

With Love and Prayers,

Rae-Ellen Sanders and the Help Club for Moms Team