DEVOTION 2 - PRESENCE
Slow Down to See God and Each Other
Main Passage
Luke 10:38-42
Supporting Passage
Psalm 46:10
Key Verse
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one."
— Luke 10:41-42
Opening Thought
Yesterday, we stepped away.
Today, we focus on being fully present.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is not merely your time—it is your attention.
Most couples spend a tremendous amount of time together. They share homes, schedules, responsibilities, finances, family events, and countless daily activities. Yet it is possible to spend years together while slowly becoming disconnected.
We can be physically present but emotionally absent.
We can hear words without truly listening.
We can share a calendar without sharing our hearts.
Life has a way of pulling our attention in a hundred different directions.
Responsibilities demand our focus.
Phones constantly compete for our attention.
Work follows us home.
Children need us.
Problems need solving.
Schedules need managing.
Before long, we find ourselves managing life together rather than truly experiencing life together.
This retreat offers something rare: margin.
Margin to slow down.
Margin to listen.
Margin to notice.
Margin to reconnect.
And often, before we can become fully present with our spouse, we must first become present with God.
Individual Reflection Time
Find a quiet place by yourself.
Read Luke 10:38-42 slowly.
As you read, notice the contrast between Martha and Mary.
Martha is busy serving.
Mary is sitting.
Martha is distracted.
Mary is attentive.
Martha is focused on tasks.
Mary is focused on presence.
Reflect on the following questions:
Devotional Thought
Martha often receives criticism in this story, but Jesus never condemns her.
In fact, Martha is doing good things.
She is serving.
She is caring for others.
She is taking responsibility.
The problem isn't that Martha is busy.
The problem is that her busyness is keeping her from what matters most.
Jesus lovingly says:
"You are worried and upset about many things."
Many couples can relate.
Life feels full.
Responsibilities feel endless.
There is always another task to complete.
Another bill to pay.
Another appointment to attend.
Another problem to solve.
Yet in the middle of all those responsibilities, Jesus reminds Martha—and us—that some things are more important than others.
Mary chose presence.
She sat at the feet of Jesus.
She listened.
She received.
She slowed down enough to be with Him.
Healthy marriages require both service and presence.
There will always be responsibilities.
There will always be things that need to get done.
But if we are not careful, we can spend so much time serving our marriage that we stop enjoying our marriage.
The greatest moments in a relationship are often not the biggest moments.
They are the small moments.
The conversation over coffee.
The walk after dinner.
The shared laugh.
The quiet prayer.
The lingering hug.
The attentive listening.
Presence is one of the purest forms of love.
To be present is to say:
"You matter enough for me to give you my full attention."
That is exactly how God loves us.
And it is how He invites us to love one another.
Prayer Together
Couple Discussion
Come back together and discuss the following questions.
Take your time.
Listen carefully.
Avoid interrupting.
Focus on understanding rather than responding.
Main Passage
Luke 10:38-42
Supporting Passage
Psalm 46:10
Key Verse
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one."
— Luke 10:41-42
Opening Thought
Yesterday, we stepped away.
Today, we focus on being fully present.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is not merely your time—it is your attention.
Most couples spend a tremendous amount of time together. They share homes, schedules, responsibilities, finances, family events, and countless daily activities. Yet it is possible to spend years together while slowly becoming disconnected.
We can be physically present but emotionally absent.
We can hear words without truly listening.
We can share a calendar without sharing our hearts.
Life has a way of pulling our attention in a hundred different directions.
Responsibilities demand our focus.
Phones constantly compete for our attention.
Work follows us home.
Children need us.
Problems need solving.
Schedules need managing.
Before long, we find ourselves managing life together rather than truly experiencing life together.
This retreat offers something rare: margin.
Margin to slow down.
Margin to listen.
Margin to notice.
Margin to reconnect.
And often, before we can become fully present with our spouse, we must first become present with God.
Individual Reflection Time
Find a quiet place by yourself.
Read Luke 10:38-42 slowly.
As you read, notice the contrast between Martha and Mary.
Martha is busy serving.
Mary is sitting.
Martha is distracted.
Mary is attentive.
Martha is focused on tasks.
Mary is focused on presence.
Reflect on the following questions:
- What has occupied most of my attention recently?
- What distractions have made it difficult for me to be fully present with God?
- What distractions have made it difficult for me to be fully present with my spouse?
- When do I feel most connected to God?
- When do I feel most connected to my spouse?
- What would it look like for me to become more present in this season?
Devotional Thought
Martha often receives criticism in this story, but Jesus never condemns her.
In fact, Martha is doing good things.
She is serving.
She is caring for others.
She is taking responsibility.
The problem isn't that Martha is busy.
The problem is that her busyness is keeping her from what matters most.
Jesus lovingly says:
"You are worried and upset about many things."
Many couples can relate.
Life feels full.
Responsibilities feel endless.
There is always another task to complete.
Another bill to pay.
Another appointment to attend.
Another problem to solve.
Yet in the middle of all those responsibilities, Jesus reminds Martha—and us—that some things are more important than others.
Mary chose presence.
She sat at the feet of Jesus.
She listened.
She received.
She slowed down enough to be with Him.
Healthy marriages require both service and presence.
There will always be responsibilities.
There will always be things that need to get done.
But if we are not careful, we can spend so much time serving our marriage that we stop enjoying our marriage.
The greatest moments in a relationship are often not the biggest moments.
They are the small moments.
The conversation over coffee.
The walk after dinner.
The shared laugh.
The quiet prayer.
The lingering hug.
The attentive listening.
Presence is one of the purest forms of love.
To be present is to say:
"You matter enough for me to give you my full attention."
That is exactly how God loves us.
And it is how He invites us to love one another.
Prayer Together
Couple Discussion
Come back together and discuss the following questions.
Take your time.
Listen carefully.
Avoid interrupting.
Focus on understanding rather than responding.
- What has felt most distracting in our lives recently?
- When do you feel most connected to me?
- When do you feel like I am fully present with you?
- When do you feel like I am distracted or unavailable?
- What helps you feel seen, heard, and valued?
- What can we do to create more meaningful connection when we return home?