Sixty-three women gathered in a mountain lodge as sweat trickled down their temples and battery-powered lanterns flickered in the corners. The power was out. No AC. No lights. No mic. And did I mention I was the weekend speaker?
The worship team sang a cappella. Women lifted their hands in praise while others used their retreat program to fan flushed faces. The atmosphere felt heavy—yet in the middle of it, I whispered, Jesus, make me tender. Let them encounter Your presence.
I stood up that Friday night without a mic and barely enough light to see my notes. A high-pitched alarm screeched incessantly. A noisy tractor drove by. The distractions and irritations were almost comical. I stood before the visibly wilted and weary group, bowed my head and belted out a prayer that I can only describe as from the Holy Spirit – because the atmosphere changed.
Where there was once grumbling and commotion, God now had our attention.
The theme of the retreat was Stay. It was all about practicing God’s presence. I opened with a message on what it means to Stay Tender to God’s Voice – and all the things that keep us hardened to His presence.
We talked about Martha. The one who was worried and upset. The one distracted by her many tasks. The one who came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care…?”
Oh, how like Martha we can be. (Hi, I’m raising my hand.)
I’m like Martha when I’m worried about what to make for dinner while playing Uber driver for my teenagers (and how in the world do I get rid of that smell in their soccer bags?). I’m like Martha when the needs around me are overwhelming — but someone’s gotta take care of it and I feel like I’m the only one. I’m like Martha when God invites me to speak at a retreat, but it’s dark and I’m sticky with sweat and straining my voice to project and worried the right words won’t land.
Martha often gets a bad rap because being worried and upset isn’t a good look on anyone, and we quickly focus on the sister sitting at Jesus’s feet who chose what’s better.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to be like Mary, soaking up every word from my Savior. But I think we often skip past the very good thing Martha did in the midst of her meltdown:
Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
Luke 10:40 CSB
In her frenzy and frustration, Martha turned to her friend, Jesus, and told Him exactly what she was feeling and how she saw the situation.
Martha told the truth. And that truth-telling primed her heart to receive His truth.
“Martha, Martha,” Jesus said, “you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” (41-42)
Sometimes we can’t see God’s care because we’re too focused on what we’re carrying.
Sometimes we have to first recognize and confess what’s in our hearts before we’re ready to sit at Jesus’s feet.
Jesus didn’t scold Martha’s honesty; He saw her, affirmed her, and then redirected her.
What are you worried and upset about today? Be honest with Jesus.
Honesty with God is the pathway to intimacy with God.
Honesty primes the heart for receptivity.
We have to be receptive – tender – to God’s voice to be transformed by God’s presence.
In order to truly engage with Jesus, Martha had to tell the truth about the distractions that were keeping her heart tough. Friends, we have to do the same.
Come to Jesus as you are. Come frazzled, distracted, or weighed down. Don’t hold back what’s really in your heart. Don’t wait for the noise to die down or for life to feel manageable. Bring your worries. Bring your overwhelm.
Tell Jesus the truth — because only then can He meet you with His.
The lights eventually came back on, and the room erupted in cheers. But the real breakthrough had already happened: God’s presence had pierced the dark, tenderizing our hearts and drawing us closer to Him.
Becky’s new book, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul, is a gentle guide into the presence of Jesus — especially when your heart feels heavy or tangled. Order your copy today.
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Thank you,Becky!! This was very timely for me. I love that Jesus wants us to be honest with him and tender to his voice.
Karen, I love that this was right on time for you! God is so good like that.
Becky, this is SO good & exactly what I needed this am! I got a so-so not even a bad report from the MD yesterday & I was “Marthaing” listing what I was carrying & missing the care I am being given. C’mon Ruth you know better! Your words got me back to choosing what is best. Thank you! Blessings (((0)))
Ruth, I love how God is so patient with us, and always ready for us to choose a reset! I love that you chose to redirect your thinking and lean into God’s presence instead of your worry. Blessings to you, dear one!
Dearest Becky……Your devotion today really touched my heart in all of the things that overwhelm me and distract me sometimes from what you told us in your words today. I loved the story about Martha which made me realize that perhaps I am going the wrong way. The biggest thing that I don’t really know what more to do is the fact that my ex-husband, son and daughter-in law, the only family I have here on Earth, have sent me an email calling me horrible, obscene names, but the worst was I know why they hate me so much. They think I belong in a mental institution because I believe. This is why they have cut off all communication including being able to see or even talk to my one grandchild, a boy that will be 15 in two weeks. I have not seen him since he was 11. They have alienated him from me with the lies they have told him about things I certainly did not do or say. They intercept all the cards and gifts I have sent him the last 4 years and destroyed them before he got home from school, ripping up checks and money and all the love I was telling my grandson and then laughing to him because they told him that I didn’t even remember his birthday or Christmas etc. etc. My heart is broken and I have prayed to Jesus about all of this and placed them at His feet. Becky, I trust you. Do you have any advice about anything else I can do. At 78 years old, I feel a little lost and I can’t seem to forget this situation as my friends tell me, “Just forget about it.” I can’t as I did not bring our son up this way. He was raised in the church and his wife too – not in the same church, but nevertheless church. They feel that religion is just a number of people that are money grubbers and that who we believe in do NOT exist and I need to be in a mental institution as there is something wrong with my brain.I pray for them anyway, but I don’t know if Jesus can do anything about that. It is clear to me that the devil has somehow gotten to them and convinced them of this. Thank you Becky so much for your devotion and how it has touched my heart. I am going to get one of your books as they help me too. I have all my life, been a happy, generous, caring person, but even though I put a smile on my face and people here think there is nothing wrong with me, they do not know how very sad and broken, I feel. If you have any advice for me, please help me. I send my love and gratitude for everything that you and (in)courage do for us. Have a blessed weekend……………….Betsy
Dearest Betsy,
Thank you for sharing your heart with me. I’m so sorry for the deep pain and rejection you’ve experienced. I can hear how heavy this is, and I want you to know God sees you and cares so tenderly for your hurting heart.
You’ve already taken the most important step—placing your family at Jesus’ feet. Surrender isn’t something we do just once, but again and again. Each time your heart aches, you can release them into His care. You can’t control others or change your circumstances, but you can choose to keep fixing your eyes on Jesus.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (Isaiah 26:3, NLT). That promise is for you, Betsy. As you keep surrendering your hurt, God will steady you with His peace and remind you that He is worthy of your trust.
I’m praying Jesus fills you with comfort and hope today. You are deeply loved.
With love,
Becky
Great encouragement today Becky!
Thanks, Lisa! I appreciate you.
The timing of this devotional is perfect and spoke to my heart. I’m so thankful for your ministry!
Oh, praise God for that!
Becky,
I’m a cross between Martha & Mary. Today I rested & soaked up God’s love. Hubby & I did a devotion. Tomorrow I will be a Martha running around getting supplies for our church bake sale & food to make for a friend having pre breast cancer tests done. On one hand we want to get many things done in our free time. Also need to spend quality time with God. Working on being both a Martha who gets stuff done & Mary who sits with Jesus & listens to His voice.
Blessings 🙂
That’s how my heart feels this morning Becky, very tangled. Off to tell God the truth. And thank you for this.
Thank you, Becky, for writing this. Your writing has ministered to me and resonated with me many times.