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A Prayer to Put First Things First

Maggie Cooper

Contributing Writer
Published Jun 02, 2023

"...Martha was distracted..." And then Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” (Luke 10:40-42)

“Mrs. Cooper was a real gentlewoman, refined, cultured, and lovable-a character who lived and radiated her religion. Her home, church, husband, and children were the most important things in her life, for she was a person who always put first things first."

I found this description of my great-great-grandmother a few years ago, and while there are many special women in my family line, she was the matriarch. Her painting hangs in my dining room, and I was told about her for as long as I can remember. This is the most beautiful description of her I've heard, though ..."she was a person who always put first things first." I wish the same could be said of me, but I know that wouldn't always be true.

Facebook. Dishes. HGTV. Text messages. Laundry.

Chocolate. Sleep. Email. Online shopping. Home projects.

All things that I sometimes allow to take precedence over “first things.”

And what are “first things”? Relationship with Jesus, Spouse, Children.

It's not hard. But it is.

Read the full devotional here.

Video created by Kayla Koslosky.

Stock footage courtesy: ©Soundstripe Library

Thumbnail courtesy: ©Soundstripe Library/SWN Design

Maggie Cooper, author headshotMaggie Meadows Cooper is a wife, mom, educator, author, and blogger with a longing for women to grow a heart for Jesus and others. She is the author of the children’s book “Bumper” and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She contributes to Blogs by Christian Women, Devotional Diva, She Disciples, and Connecting Ministries. An educator with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!), she has twenty years of experience working with young children. She loves all things chocolate, real Coca-Cola, and lives with her husband, three children, and two rambunctious dogs in Opelika, Alabama.

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