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Last year when I started making dolls, I also started making clothes for them. Adorable little dresses with tiny sleeves and perfectly gathered skirts. And if I’m being honest, I thought I was a very good sewer. In fact, I still remember being told I was the best sewer in our school.

So when I picked up sewing again, I assumed I already knew what I was doing.

But this past year humbled me.

I realized there were important steps I had been skipping for years. Understitching. Grading seams. And most importantly—stay stitching.

Stay stitching is one of those quiet, almost invisible steps. It’s a simple line of stitching placed just inside the seam allowance, usually around curves or necklines that keeps the fabric from stretching out of shape before it’s sewn together.

Skip it, and the neckline can warp.
Skip it, and the pieces don’t line up quite right.
Skip it, and you spend the rest of the project trying to fix what shifted in the beginning.

It keeps everything in place before the real work begins.

As I got to thinking about this today, I was reminded of our spiritual lives.

We rush through our days. We skip the foundational step. We tell ourselves we’ll come back to it later. We move straight into serving, planning, cleaning, organizing, responding, fixing, helping.

All good things.

But we skip the one thing that keeps everything else from shifting out of place

Sitting at the feet of Jesus.

In Luke 10:42 (NIV), Jesus says of Mary, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Notice that word—chosen.

Discipline isn’t just about doing more. It’s about choosing what anchors your life. Mary made a decision before the dishes were washed and before the meal was served. She chose to sit. She chose to listen. She chose to put first things first.

That’s stay stitching.

It doesn’t look impressive. It won’t earn applause. It may even feel like you’re “not getting anything done.” But it keeps your heart from stretching in the wrong direction. It keeps your focus from drifting. It keeps your priorities aligned before the day pulls on them from every side.

Martha wasn’t wrong for serving. But Scripture says she was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40, NIV). The issue wasn’t the work. It was the order.

When Christ is first, everything else fits better.

When He isn’t, we spend the day adjusting and tugging and feeling slightly off-center.

Maybe this week, as we talk about discipline, the Lord is not asking you to add more structure, more lists, or more pressure to your life.

Maybe He’s simply asking you to add the stitch.

Five quiet minutes before the house wakes up.
A Bible opened before your phone.
A whispered prayer before your to-do list.

Philippians 2:13 (NIV) reminds us, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Even the desire to sit with Him begins with Him. Our role is to respond.

Discipline, at its core, is not white-knuckled effort. It is choosing, again and again, to hold your place at His feet before you step into everything else.

And here’s the beautiful part: when that stitch is in place, the rest of the garment comes together more smoothly.

This week, as we look at Mary and Martha, let’s not just ask how to get more done.

Let’s ask:
What is the one thing that keeps everything else in place?

And then let’s choose it.

Come back on Friday when we’ll talk about the grit of self-discipline—the effort, the sting, and how pressing on flows from sitting first at His feet.

And if you’d like to connect with other women who are walking through this study, Join the discussion in our Facebook group. It’s a warm, encouraging space to share what God is teaching you and to grow together.

This Week’s Bible Verse

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Week 3 at a Glance 

Would you like a printable copy of this schedule? If so, click here.

A Note About Journaling
As you move through this study, consider keeping a personal journal nearby. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a simple notebook where you can jot down your prayers, reflections, and anything the Lord impresses on your heart. This is your space to write freely, revisit lessons, and record your own journey of restoration.

TUESDAY

Visit TWW – Visit timewarpwife.com or check your inbox to find a link to this week’s video.

Read Luke 10:38-42 – Read it twice. Notice what distracted Martha and what Mary chose.

Read Chapter 3 in the Study Guide – Focus on the difference between busyness and discipline.

Begin the Study Guide Questions – Start with the Scripture questions and the reflection section.

Community Check-In – Share one area where distractions tend to steal your focus.

WEDNESDAY

Wisdom for Daily Discipline – Read Proverbs 6:6-8 (the ant) and Proverbs 31:21 (prepared living).

One Small “5-Minute” Step – Choose one simple task you’ve been putting off and do it today.

Share Your Insight – Post one practical takeaway: What helps you “live today with tomorrow in mind”?

THURSDAY

Spirit-Led Self-Control – Read 2 Peter 1:5-6 and 2 Timothy 1:7.

Revisit the Chapter Questions – Focus on how knowledge, self-control, and perseverance connect.

Choose What’s Better – Write down one “Mary choice” you can make today (even a small one).

Quiet Prayer – Ask the Lord to shape your desires so discipline grows from the heart.

FRIDAY

Visit TWW – Visit timewarpwife.com or check your inbox for the weekly devotional wrap-up.

Community Engagement – What stood out most: the “5 minutes,” the ant, or Mary and Martha? Share why.

SATURDAY

Quiet Time or Catch-Up – Finish questions, reread Luke 10:38-42, and review your notes.

Simple Reset – Pick one distraction to limit for the day (Phone, TV, scrolling) and replace it with one intentional habit.

SUNDAY – No assignments today. Let your soul breathe and let the Word settle in.

MONDAY

Wrap-Up Reflection – What changed in your thinking about discipline this week?

Final Community Post – Share one “better choice” you want to carry into next week – and one way you’ll protect time at Jesus’ feet.

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