The story of Mary and Martha is a great starting point for a discussion on work-life balance and the lies women believe.
In this week’s How She Does It conversation with best-selling author Jennifer H. Yates, I was encouraged and convicted all at the same time.
Mary and Martha
During our conversation, Jennifer revealed that Mary & Martha were her favorite Biblical characters to write about in her book Just Like Us. Just Like Us takes the stories of women of old and shows how we can relate to them today.
As you read the story of Mary and Martha you probably identify with one of the women at some point.
At the home of mary and martha
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 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
Lies Women Believe
Starting with Mary and Martha’s story, Jennifer delves into what balance looks like for us today.
It turns out that some of what we’ve been told about finding balance lacks a solid foundation.
How often have you looked for worldly answers for life’s problems?
Or how many times have you heard these:
- You have what it takes within you to make everything better.
- Just focus on what makes you happy.
- You need to try harder and do more.
Can you confidently tell truth from lie?
This conversation will make you think deep to consider what you believe and whether that belief is trustworthy.
Visit the link to watch and listen to the full interview.
Without giving too much away, below are some highlights from the How She Does It Interview with Jennifer Hayes Yates.
Highlights from How She Does It with Jennifer Hayes Yates
“We can’t change ourselves but God is in the business of transformation.”
“When we make Jesus and our relationship with him the number one priority everything else falls into place.”
“As God changed me everything changed.”
How often do we look at others and blame them for the way things are? Our husbands, our children, our friends?
Thinking that the problem lies with someone else is often one of those lies women believe.
What if you allowed God to change you rather than spending all your energy trying to change someone else?
“Finding contentment comes from finding who we are in Christ.”
Listen to the full conversation with Jennifer here.
About Jennifer Hayes Yates
Jennifer Hayes Yates is a wife, mama, writer, and speaker with a near empty nest and a Southern accent. Having taught in Christian education for twenty-two years, she has a passion for communicating God’s truth and inspiring others to seek Him.
Jennifer is now a blogger, best-selling author, and passionate speaker. Lover of all things Jesus, books, and coffee, she can be found in quiet corners or busy spaces, sipping lattes, studying commentaries, and chatting up strangers.
Jennifer has now published four best sellers: Seek Him First: How to Hear from God, Walk in His Will, and Change Your World; Let’s Run: Running the Race with Faith and Perseverance; Inside Out and Upside Down: How Intimacy with Jesus Changes Everything, and her latest book Drawing Ever Closer: 365 Days of Transforming Truth.
But she’s still just a small-town girl hoping to glorify God in all she writes and make a few disciples along the way.
You can follow Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram, and at Jenniferhyates.com.
Mentions & Other LinKS
Join Jennifer’s Facebook Group Growing Your Faith
About How She Does it
For years I wondered if I was the only woman who struggled to balance life and work. If there were others, they sure weren’t talking much about it.
I’ve since come to realize that it takes a lot of bravery to share our struggles. It also takes a community of brave women supporting one other in order to succeed, and indeed, thrive.
That’s what prompted me to start a new series called, How She Does It — a conversation with women just like you, who are willing to pull back the curtain and share real hope from real life. We don’t have it all figured out, but we know that we are stronger together.
Check out other episodes of How She Does It here.
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