You probably remember the well-known story in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha. Martha was busy working hard, preparing and serving. Mary was still, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. Both loved Jesus, but Jesus reminded Martha that Mary had chosen “the better part.”
As parents, it’s easy to slip into “Martha mode.” We run from practice to recital, homework to bedtime, packing lunches and signing permission slips. These are good and necessary things! In the hurry of managing life, we can forget to pause and simply be with Jesus. Just as importantly, we can forget to model this pause for our children.
Children learn as much from our posture as from our words. When they see us hurry and worry, they learn that busyness equals importance. When they see us sit at Jesus’ feet, through prayer, reading Scripture, or even in quiet reflection, they learn that peace and wisdom come from Him. In a world that constantly pressures them to perform and/or share their opinion, our example of resting in Christ speaks volumes. This is one of the ways we remain rooted, choosing His presence as our strength rather than letting the rush of the moment carry us away.
How can we model “the better part” at home? Here are two suggestions that will help you model this for your students:
Create a No-Rush Zone: Pick one part of the day (maybe breakfast or the ride home from school) where the rule is “no rushing and no screens.” Use that time just to talk, laugh, or sit together without multitasking. These unhurried spaces can become places where God’s peace settles in, reminding your family that presence matters more than productivity.
Model Mini Pauses: Let your kids see you stop for a minute before diving into the next task. Maybe you take a deep breath before answering an email or pause to enjoy a cup of coffee without doing three other things. Even a whispered prayer or a moment of gratitude in those pauses shows them that slowing down isn’t just about rest, it’s about turning your heart back to Jesus in the middle of regular life.
Parenting will always include “Martha tasks”, meals need to be made, clothes need to be washed, schedules must be kept. In the middle of it all, let us not forget the “Mary moments.” Our children don’t just need parents who get everything done, they need parents who know how to pause and rest in the presence of Jesus.
When we choose the better part, we remind our children that the most important place to be is not at the top of the class, the front of the line, or the winner’s circle, but at the feet of Jesus. It is there, in Him, that we become deeply rooted and able to help our children grow in the same way.
