Luke 10:41-42

But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

As a mother of three school-aged children, I’m all too familiar with how stressful the “back-to-school season” can be. Every year around this time, I go into full checklist mode, making sure each of my kids has the right clothes, shoes, and supplies—in all the necessary sizes and quantities. And that’s not even counting lunch accounts, bus routes, carline maps… all the things! Let’s face it, the details can get a little overwhelming. Amen?

In times like these, I’m reminded of one of my favorite Bible stories, found in Luke chapter 10. In this story, Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem when a woman named Martha welcomes them into her home. While Jesus is there, Martha becomes consumed with making all sorts of preparations, while her sister, Mary, chooses to simply sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. When Martha complains to Jesus about Mary, He responds, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As a checklist-loving, task-oriented person, this passage hits home—especially this time of year. It reminds me to step away from the hustle of back-to-school prep and step into what matters most: spending time in His sweet presence.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to guide your back-to-school preparations today. Ask Him to give you peace as you consider “all these details” that need to be addressed before the start of school. And despite all the busyness of the season, remember to take some time to sit at His feet.