{"id":20443,"date":"2026-11-07T20:05:28","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T02:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/?p=20443"},"modified":"2026-11-07T20:26:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T02:26:48","slug":"time-well-spent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/time-well-spent\/","title":{"rendered":"Time Well Spent"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"et_pb_section_0 et_pb_section et_section_regular et_block_section\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_0 et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_code_0 et_pb_code et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_code_inner\" data-et-mv-hidden-phone=\"true\"><div style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; color: #000000;\">\n    Listen to the Audio Version of this devotional\n  <\/div>\n  <audio controls controlsList=\"nodownload\" preload=\"metadata\"\n         oncontextmenu=\"return false;\"\n         style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto;\">\n    <source src=\"https:\/\/sandiherron-audio.b-cdn.net\/s-audio\/TimeWellSpent.Podcast.mp3\" type=\"audio\/mpeg\">\n    Your browser does not support the audio player.\n  <\/audio>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_0 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20445\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/thanksgivingtable-800x500\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/thanksgivingtable.800x500.jpg?fit=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,533\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"thanksgivingtable.800&amp;#215;500\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/thanksgivingtable.800x500.jpg?fit=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/thanksgivingtable.800x500.jpg?resize=800%2C533&#038;ssl=1\" title=\"thanksgivingtable.800x500\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/thanksgivingtable.800x500.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/thanksgivingtable.800x500-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-20445\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\" data-et-mv-hidden-phone=\"true\"><div class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<blockquote>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cSometimes we become so concerned with what Mary and Martha were doing that we overlook what Jesus was showing us about Himself.\u201d<span style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Sandi<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Choosing Time With Jesus: A Tale of Two Sisters<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>\u201cMartha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her\u201d Luke 10:41-42.<\/p>\n<p>Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I\u2019ve already started planning my tablescape. The dishes, the centerpiece, napkins. All the details that make a holiday table special.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever been to my home for a holiday gathering, you know I go a bit overboard with the planning and preparation. I enjoy it! But, too often, I work so hard getting everything just right, by the time we sit around the table, I\u2019m exhausted. I know. Just call me Martha.<\/p>\n<p>In Luke 10:38-42, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began preparing for her guests. Hospitality mattered. She was doing what a good hostess was expected to do in her culture.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach.<\/p>\n<p>Martha became frustrated. I understand. There she was, doing everything to make their guest feel welcomed, while Mary sat listening to Him teach. I can almost hear her mumbling, \u201cMary, do you not see what needs to be done?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help. But His answer was not what she expected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMartha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled\u2026\u201d Luke 10:41.<\/p>\n<p><span data-isttsnode=\"true\" data-voicerefid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-globalvoicesettingsenabled=\"true\" data-volumegaindb=\"0\" data-muted=\"false\" data-fadeinms=\"0\" data-fadeoutms=\"0\" data-voiceid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-voicename=\"Sandi. Storyteller\" class=\"tts-node group\/tts-node rounded-[6px] box-decoration-clone bg-clip-content py-[3px]\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 [&quot;ttsBlock&quot;,{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;p&quot;,&quot;blockId&quot;:&quot;vuBseLkO2hDkoGmHzfFA&quot;,&quot;regenerationCount&quot;:0,&quot;conversionStatus&quot;:&quot;converted&quot;,&quot;blockSnapshotId&quot;:&quot;QU2GFNWUdIyubsF8nfBR&quot;,&quot;lastConvertedAtUnixMs&quot;:1794096699716,&quot;lastChangeUnixMs&quot;:1794096709938,&quot;lockedState&quot;:{&quot;locked&quot;:false},&quot;hasSTSElements&quot;:false,&quot;trackId&quot;:&quot;tts0&quot;,&quot;order&quot;:&quot;aE&quot;}]\">Jesus called Martha by name twice. And spoke of how worried and troubled she had become over so many things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Poor Martha! I sometimes think we're a bit hard on her. She welcomed Jesus, tried to care for her guests, and found herself alone doing the work. At times, I've been worn out preparing for company, and unlike Martha, I didn\u2019t have Jesus sitting at my table!<\/p>\n<p>But here's the thing. Martha's preparations mattered. Welcoming guests, preparing a meal, and caring for others are good things. Jesus wasn't telling her that her work had no value. The problem wasn't Martha's serving Jesus. It was that her service distracted her from Jesus.<\/p>\n<p>The part of this story that touches my heart most is Jesus\u2019 response.<\/p>\n<p>He saw Martha's worry and frustration. He didn\u2019t give her the answer she wanted, but neither did He turn her away. He lovingly pointed her toward what Mary had discovered.<\/p>\n<p>And Mary\u2019s choice was more remarkable than we might realize. Sitting at a teacher\u2019s feet was the position of a student. In that culture, women weren\u2019t generally expected to take that place in religious instruction. Yet, Jesus affirmed Mary\u2019s desire to learn from Him.<\/p>\n<p>I believe His words to Martha also invited her to recognize what was being offered. He told her that what Mary had chosen would not be taken away from her.<\/p>\n<p>Martha's preparations would eventually be finished. The meal would be eaten, and the day would come to an end. But what Mary was receiving as she listened to Jesus was something lasting. His words would remain with her long after that visit was over. That's what He wanted for Martha.<\/p>\n<p>Isn't that a comforting thought? The time we spend with Jesus isn't simply time taken away from everything else we need to do. It's time invested in something that lasts.<\/p>\n<p>Two sisters, each responding to Jesus differently. Perhaps we've spent so much time deciding which sister we\u2019re most like, we've missed what this moment tells us about Him.<\/p>\n<p>His grace wasn't reserved for Mary, who had made the better choice. He showed grace and tenderness to struggling Martha, too.<\/p>\n<p>That comforts me because there are times I struggle. I get caught up in details, frustrated when plans go sideways, or make things more complicated than they need to be.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps you can relate.<\/p>\n<p>Martha didn't hide her frustration from Jesus. She brought it straight to Him. Those hands on her hips, chin up in the air.\u00a0 And although Jesus corrected her, He did so with care. We can bring Him our worries, concerns, without pretending we have everything under control.<\/p>\n<p>And then we listen. When we open His Word and give Him our attention, the things that seemed so urgent begin to look different.<\/p>\n<p>This Thanksgiving, preparations will include our family favorites, like German Chocolate cake, pecan pie, and sweet potato pie. I\u2019ll use every ounce of creativity designing the tablescape and probably fold the napkins to look like turkeys! But hope I\u2019m not so worn out from all the preparations that I miss the joy of the people around my table.<\/p>\n<p>I'll think about Martha, not merely as the distracted sister, but as a woman who welcomed Jesus and heard His gentle correction. And I'll remember Mary, who sat at His feet to learn.<\/p>\n<p>Most of all, I want to remember Jesus: His patience, His tenderness, and His embrace of two sisters.<\/p>\n<p>Time with Him is always time well spent.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_0 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module preset--module--divi-divider--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2>Pause &amp; Reflect<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Have you ever put so much effort into making an occasion special that you were too tired to enjoy it?<\/li>\n<li>What do you notice about the way Jesus responds to each sister?<\/li>\n<li>When you're worried or frustrated, how might His response to Martha change the way you come to Him?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_1 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module preset--module--divi-divider--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\" data-et-mv-hidden-phone=\"true\"><h2>Where Do We Go From Here?<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s read Luke 10:38\u201342 and rather than deciding whether we're more like Mary than we are Martha, pay attention to Jesus. Notice how He responds to Martha's concerns and welcomes Mary's desire to learn.\u00a0And let's see what we can set aside today, not because it doesn't matter, but because time with Him matters most.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_0 et_pb_testimonial et_pb_testimonial_no_image et_pb_bg_layout_dark et_pb_text_align_center et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_inner\"><div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_description\"><div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_description_inner\"><div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_content\"><p><span id=\"en-ESV-25396\" class=\"text Luke-10-41\">But the Lord answered her, <span class=\"woj\">\u201cMartha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,<\/span><\/span><span id=\"en-ESV-25397\" class=\"text Luke-10-42\"><span class=\"woj\"><sup class=\"versenum\">\u00a0<\/sup>but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42 ESV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"et_pb_testimonial_meta\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2><em>Let's Pray Together<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><em>Heavenly Father, thank You for the tenderness You show us when we're worried or frustrated. You know how easily we get caught up in details. Help us bring our concerns to You and make room to listen. Give us hearts that treasure time with You and in Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_2 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module preset--module--divi-divider--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>Friends, thank you for sharing your time with me today.\u00a0<span data-isttsnode=\"true\" data-voicerefid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-globalvoicesettingsenabled=\"true\" data-volumegaindb=\"0\" data-muted=\"false\" data-fadeinms=\"0\" data-fadeoutms=\"0\" data-voiceid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-voicename=\"Sandi. Storyteller\" class=\"tts-node group\/tts-node rounded-[6px] box-decoration-clone bg-clip-content py-[3px]\">Keep this thought in mind as you go your way. Let it be a reminder that time spent with Jesus is time well spent. <\/span><\/p>\n<p data-id=\"nVb3UHXM89dQn15PRCwu\" class=\"text-md mb-4\"><span data-isttsnode=\"true\" data-voicerefid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-globalvoicesettingsenabled=\"true\" data-volumegaindb=\"0\" data-muted=\"false\" data-fadeinms=\"0\" data-fadeoutms=\"0\" data-voiceid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-voicename=\"Sandi. Storyteller\" class=\"tts-node group\/tts-node rounded-[6px] box-decoration-clone bg-clip-content py-[3px]\">Jesus didn't turn away the sister who was struggling. He lovingly pointed her toward what mattered most.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-id=\"yYpxUsGFoQZE2skraWm6\" class=\"text-md mb-4\"><span data-isttsnode=\"true\" data-voicerefid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-globalvoicesettingsenabled=\"true\" data-volumegaindb=\"0\" data-muted=\"false\" data-fadeinms=\"0\" data-fadeoutms=\"0\" data-voiceid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-voicename=\"Sandi. Storyteller\" class=\"tts-node group\/tts-node rounded-[6px] box-decoration-clone bg-clip-content py-[3px]\">What did you discover about God's heart today?<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-id=\"ogmbktxG5nSkT7NDqDc5\" class=\"text-md mb-4\"><span data-isttsnode=\"true\" data-voicerefid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-globalvoicesettingsenabled=\"true\" data-volumegaindb=\"0\" data-muted=\"false\" data-fadeinms=\"0\" data-fadeoutms=\"0\" data-voiceid=\"TNS56aYtQGzK6sA0XdIu\" data-voicename=\"Sandi. Storyteller\" class=\"tts-node group\/tts-node rounded-[6px] box-decoration-clone bg-clip-content py-[3px]\">Be blessed and always remember...you are loved beyond measure.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_3 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module preset--module--divi-divider--default\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_1 et_pb_row et_flex_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_1 et_pb_column et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_3_5 et_flex_column_3_5_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_1 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20308\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/before-you-go_-country-road-adventures-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Before-You-Go_-Country-Road-Adventures.1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"Before You Go_ Country Road Adventures.1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Before-You-Go_-Country-Road-Adventures.1.jpg?fit=533%2C533&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Before-You-Go_-Country-Road-Adventures.1.jpg?resize=800%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" title=\"Before You Go_ Country Road Adventures.1\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Before-You-Go_-Country-Road-Adventures.1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Before-You-Go_-Country-Road-Adventures.1-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-20308\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_2 et_pb_column et-last-child et_flex_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et_flex_column_2_5 et_flex_column_2_5_tablet et_flex_column_24_24_phone\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_flex_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Before You Go...<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Here are some additional resources and stories you might enjoy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span>Listen to <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NI_1YliutzA?si=LfRqqzl4ulBsxfnA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"The More I See You\">The More I Seek You<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><span>by Kari Jobe. It's a beautiful reminder of Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet and simply enjoy being in His presence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/sandis-kitchen\/\" title=\"Sandi's Kitchen\">Sandi's Kitchen. <\/a>My kitchen blog. You will find recipes, tips, and lots of food photos for inspiration. You might find some recipes for your Thanksgiving meal. (Don't get too busy cooking!)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/the-bookshop-2\/\" title=\"The Bookshop\">Visit my Bookshop<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0This is where you'll find information about all my books and where or how to purchase.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing Time with Jesus | A Tale of Two Sisters. Sometimes we become so concerned with what Mary and Martha were doing that we overlook what Jesus was showing us about Himself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[381],"tags":[343],"class_list":["post-20443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-porchside-devotions","tag-devotionals"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Time Well Spent - Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/time-well-spent\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Time Well Spent - Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Choosing Time with Jesus | A Tale of Two Sisters. 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