Yesterday, I struggled to sit down and make time for Jesus. My mind was racing with a million thoughts—negative ones, at that. Everything I needed to do, the little things that were bothering me, and the endless responsibilities ahead of me loomed like massive roadblocks. I woke up tired, annoyed, and resentful.

Sound familiar?

Sometimes, life feels like one big to-do list, and instead of feeling productive, we just feel crushed by the weight of it all. In moments like these, it’s so easy to fall into a “Martha” mindset. If you’re familiar with the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, you know what I’m talking about.

As Jesus visited their home, Martha busied herself with preparations. She was cooking, cleaning, hosting—all good things, but they left her overwhelmed and frustrated. Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His presence. This didn’t sit well with Martha, who finally said:

Jesus’s response wasn’t a rebuke—it was an invitation:

The Chaos of Motherhood and Homeschooling

As a homeschooling mom, I often feel like Martha. Not only are there meals to cook, messes to clean, and errands to run, but there are also lessons to plan, books to read, and endless questions from curious little minds to answer. Homeschooling is a beautiful calling, but it’s also demanding. There is no "off switch."

Add to that the emotional weight of raising a child—meeting her needs, guiding her heart, and teaching her about Jesus—and the responsibility can feel overwhelming. There are moments when I feel like I’m running on empty, trying to do it all and wondering how to juggle Luci's education with everything else on my plate.

But here’s the truth: she is watching me. She see's how I respond to stress, how I prioritize my time, and how I make room for Jesus amidst all the responsibilities. Yesterday, as I wrestled with my long list of things to do, I realized something: I needed to stop. Not just for my own soul, but because my daughter need to see what it looks like to choose Jesus in the middle of chaos.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Here’s something I’m learning: it doesn’t matter what our time with Jesus looks like.

It doesn’t have to be at 5:00 a.m., with a perfect cup of coffee and a Pinterest-worthy Bible journal. It can be in the middle of the day, surrounded by dirty dishes and piles of laundry. It can be a quiet prayer whispered during nap time or a verse read aloud while your kids color at the table.

Jesus doesn’t ask for perfect conditions—He just asks for our hearts and our time.

When I let go of the pressure to have an ideal “quiet time,” I realized how much freedom there is in simply inviting Jesus into my messy, imperfect moments. Even in the middle of chaos, He meets us where we are.

Choosing the “One Thing”

Mary wasn’t being lazy. She wasn’t avoiding her responsibilities. She simply recognized that the presence of Jesus was the most important thing. When we choose to sit at His feet, even for a few moments, we’re reminded of this:

• We’re not alone. Jesus sees our struggles, our weariness, and our heartaches.

• Our worth isn’t tied to productivity. God loves us for who we are, not for how much we get done.

• We’re teaching our kids what matters most. When we stop to spend time with Jesus, we’re teaching our children that faith comes first—even when life feels busy or schoolwork feels urgent.

• He provides peace in the chaos. Spending time with Jesus doesn’t magically erase our to-do list or homeschool challenges, but it does give us the strength and perspective to tackle them with grace.

  
  

A Simple Shift

Yesterday, I finally made myself sit down and spend a few minutes with Jesus. I opened my Bible to Luke 10 and let His words remind me of what truly matters. Was my to-do list still there afterward? Yup. Did we still need to work on our homeschool activities? Of course. But I faced the day with a renewed sense of peace and purpose. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t just doing this for myself. I was sowing seeds in her little heart, showing her that Jesus isn’t just for Sunday mornings—He’s for every messy, overwhelming moment of our lives.

I’m learning that homeschooling is more than just teaching letters, numbers and crafts. It’s about discipling our kids, teaching them to love Jesus, and modeling how to turn to Him when life feels overwhelming.

The truth is, we’ll always have things to do and problems to solve. But the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember Martha and Mary. Take a deep breath, step away from the chaos, and choose the “one thing” that will never be taken away: time with Jesus.

Your kids will see it. They’ll learn from you that even in the middle of life’s noise—whether it’s homeschooling chaos or piles of laundry—Jesus is the peace we’re all searching for.