Fall.
Scarves, sweaters, beanies.
Pumpkin spice everything.
Light rains and picnics for lunch.

There are so many reasons why I absolutely love fall. I’m a person who loves action and getting things done. Fall, for some reason, feels like that for me. A time of winding down the year and really accomplishing all those long to do lists that were left behind for beach trips and summer fun. It doesn’t hurt that fall also brings my birthday.

Apart from all the amazing things that fall brings, God tends to use this time of year as a refocusing for me. He beckons me back to a routine with Him that was crushed by my summer calendar. This year has been no different for me. God is bringing me back to Him, and back to one of my favorite Bible stories: Mary and Martha.

Luke paints the story perfectly in Chapter 10 of his Gospel. Jesus entered into yet another village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home along with her sister, Mary. While Mary sat and listened to Jesus telling stories to the other guests, Martha was distracted by all the serving that needed to be done. Not only was there a lot that needed to be done, but Mary was not helping her at all.

I always put myself in Martha’s shoes at this point in the story. The SON OF GOD came to her village, where she grew up, and wanted to come into her house. No matter how clean her house probably was before Jesus got there, I imagine her thinking that it definitely was not clean enough for the Messiah and all these guests. Oh, all the guests! Better start cooking a four course meal for them and make sure they have something to drink. Like right now! Where is Mary? She said she would help, and now she’s just hanging out? Not. Fair.

Mary goes a little further than I would, and she calls out her sister -in front of everyone.

“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40, ESV)

And Jesus is so kind to Martha, telling her that she is anxious about so many things, but has forgotten the most important thing: spending time with Him.

What? Not doing things was better? That doesn’t compute with my checklist loving, to the minute planning brain. But it’s what Jesus wants. Time with me.

So, every fall I have to refocus, and I have this feeling I’m not alone. This time around, Jesus is reminding me to be more of a Mary, less of a Martha. With my long list of to-dos, I still need time to rest in Him. I need to be intentional, but it will so be worth it.

What has God been teaching you this fall? Anything exciting? Share with us!