Mary or Martha?

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Are you a Mary or a Martha? I'm a Martha, I'm ashamed to admit. I run around like a chicken with my head cut off, planning, plotting, wanting everything to be "perfect". On more than one holiday I've worked hard to have the perfect table, the perfect menu, to be the perfect hostess, but is it all in vain?

I should ask myself-"If Jesus was attending my event, would my preparations be the same?" I know I would want things to be perfect-after all I'm entertaining the King of Kings! But what would be truly important?-that my napkins matched my centerpiece? That I served the nicest meal? NO-what would be important is that I would be in the presence of God! Should we spend time running around or should we be sitting at His feet? Should we be a Mary or a Martha?
I need to take a lesson from Mary. Jesus isn't concerned with the fancy frills-He's looking at the inside-not what's on the outside. Mary knew the importance of every minute she was in His presence and she didn't want to waste one minute.

The next time I host a holiday, I'm certain His Spirit will be there. Sure-I'll want it to be nice, but I will remember Mary and her satisfaction of the simple things and I will thank God that I have what's important around me-my family and friends and I will be content.