May 17th, 2026
by Karla Peitsmeyer
by Karla Peitsmeyer
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "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."" Luke 10:38-42 NIV
More often than not, I would rather sit and listen to my dad talk—about his time as a missionary, his childhood, or the many people he’s met. He is a man full of wisdom, and God has used him in so many amazing ways. I’m always wanting to see him and hear from him. But just like in the story of Mary and Martha, life still has to be lived. I have responsibilities. I have a job. I don’t get to spend as much time with my dad as I would like. And even when I do, I often have somewhere else to be, so I have to leave. You might think, after hearing all that, that I would relate more to Martha in this story—but I don’t. I relate to Mary.
I have a deep desire to know Jesus—who He is, what He wants, and what God has done for me. Have I always been good at this? Nope... But there’s something inside of me, just like Mary, that longs to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to every word He speaks—just like I desire with my father here on earth. When this story takes place, Jesus is physically there with them—walking, talking, and spending time in their home. When He arrives, Mary recognizes that this moment is the most important thing. She chooses to sit, listen, and be with Him—above everything else.
In that culture, she would have been expected to help her sister—preparing meals, cleaning, and serving. Martha was busy and even frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping. But Mary knew that being with Jesus mattered more than expectations, more than responsibilities, even more than the opinions around her. She understood that He would be leaving to go and teach others again. This was her moment to sit with her Rabbi, her Teacher—and nothing else compared.
Jesus came and lived among people. Jesus told her and others He would never leave them or forsake them but then he died on a cross. Mary's moments were now only memories. While Mary had Jesus physically in front of her for a time, she didn't know there was more to come. Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the grave, He gave us something better than his physical body, He gave the ultimate gift—the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus / God live in us!! Mary sat beside Jesus for a moment in time, but now we get to walk with Him every moment!! We may desire to physically see Jesus, or we can’t wait to see Him in heaven—but but but... we take for granted Who Jesus gave us for the here and now. The Holy Spirt!
My desire hasn’t changed—but the accessibility has!! Every day, we can walk in the Awareness that our Heavenly Father, the Author of Creation, the Almighty is right beside us—guiding us, loving us, talking with us and never leaving us. We walk with the understanding that Jesus is not limited by a physical body anymore nor are we! My prayer is that our hearts stay open to this gift, The Holy Spirit every moment of every day— especially when we feel busy, distracted, or alone. Will we be perfect at this? Nope. But that doesn’t change the truth:
I have a deep desire to know Jesus—who He is, what He wants, and what God has done for me. Have I always been good at this? Nope... But there’s something inside of me, just like Mary, that longs to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to every word He speaks—just like I desire with my father here on earth. When this story takes place, Jesus is physically there with them—walking, talking, and spending time in their home. When He arrives, Mary recognizes that this moment is the most important thing. She chooses to sit, listen, and be with Him—above everything else.
In that culture, she would have been expected to help her sister—preparing meals, cleaning, and serving. Martha was busy and even frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping. But Mary knew that being with Jesus mattered more than expectations, more than responsibilities, even more than the opinions around her. She understood that He would be leaving to go and teach others again. This was her moment to sit with her Rabbi, her Teacher—and nothing else compared.
Jesus came and lived among people. Jesus told her and others He would never leave them or forsake them but then he died on a cross. Mary's moments were now only memories. While Mary had Jesus physically in front of her for a time, she didn't know there was more to come. Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the grave, He gave us something better than his physical body, He gave the ultimate gift—the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus / God live in us!! Mary sat beside Jesus for a moment in time, but now we get to walk with Him every moment!! We may desire to physically see Jesus, or we can’t wait to see Him in heaven—but but but... we take for granted Who Jesus gave us for the here and now. The Holy Spirt!
My desire hasn’t changed—but the accessibility has!! Every day, we can walk in the Awareness that our Heavenly Father, the Author of Creation, the Almighty is right beside us—guiding us, loving us, talking with us and never leaving us. We walk with the understanding that Jesus is not limited by a physical body anymore nor are we! My prayer is that our hearts stay open to this gift, The Holy Spirit every moment of every day— especially when we feel busy, distracted, or alone. Will we be perfect at this? Nope. But that doesn’t change the truth:
We are not alone! Jesus is with us!
Posted in Womens Ministry
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