Made Like MarthaSample

A Beloved Daughter

In second grade, I tried out for the musical Annie at a community theater. Much to my delight, I got a callback. For the second audition, I had to learn a dance and sing a part of “It’s the Hard-Knock Life.” My parents attended the audition, sitting in the back of the theater. Partway through the song, I made eye contact with them and buckled under pressure. I forgot the words and didn’t make it into the show. I was humiliated and took it out on my parents, blaming them for being there. If they hadn’t been watching, I might not have lost focus, I reasoned. 

When I wasn’t picked for the musical, I chose to view my parents’ presence at the audition as an unwanted intrusion instead of proof of their loving support. They weren’t hoping to see me fail. They wanted me to succeed. Their gazes were of admiration, not condemnation. 

I do the same thing with God. I question His watchful eye on me, assuming He is just waiting for me to do something wrong. I keep doing and doing not out of love for Him but out of fear of Him. I work as if it is all up to me.

Yet my Father invites me to turn and see Him for who He is: a Father who delights in His children and wants them to succeed. Yes, there are times for God’s correction, but His discipline is driven by love.

When Jesus corrected Martha, it was for her good. He invited her to turn from an orphan mentality of I am overlooked. I am forgotten. It’s all up to me. He invited her to see that even among demands and pressures, she was a beloved daughter of a trustworthy Father. He looked on, not to keep her in line but because He enjoyed her, and He smiled as she lived out her strengths.

Through the good news of grace, you can move from the orphan mentality to the reality of a beloved daughter. You can throw off worry, guilt, and your attempts to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can be convinced of the good Father’s love for you and be ready to work as a response to that love—from a place of peace. 

When you consider God’s eyes on you, do you feel loved, fearful, judged…? Why?

If you enjoyed this 5-day devotional from Katie M. Reid, be sure to check out Katie's book, Made Like Martha .