Do people get your perfection {or attention}?

Let's say you're having a dinner party. You pull out all the fancy silverware, you use your best dishes, you decorate to the tee! All your i's are dotted and your t's are crossed! When people arrive you're busy finishing up last minute things, you bring out the dinner as your guests mingle, you sit down and realize you forgot something (cause you always remember right after you sit down!), you bring out the next course but still haven't finished your first, and the story goes on. You're up and down, you don't get time to visit, you are tired from the day of preparation, and now it's time to clean up so you won't have to later!

Did your guests get your attention? Did you have an uninterrupted conversation with them? Or were you too busy making sure all your ducks were in a row all. night. long?

Luke 10:38 is the story of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary (sisters) in their home.

When Jesus arrives Mary is attentive to him by listening and sitting at his feet, fully engaged in the what Jesus has to say. Martha, on the other hand, was busy preparing everything for the "big dinner" (v.40). Martha is upset by Mary's actions and tells Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her prepare.

Jesus' response "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (v.41-42, NLT)

I'm sure Jesus said these words in the most compassionate and loving tone, but OUCH!

Whenever I read this story, I feel bad for Martha. She was only trying to give the Lord her best, prepare a great meal, have everything in order and perfect.

But then I remember two words! Perfection and Attention.

What would Jesus rather have from us? What is more achievable from a fallen human being?
Attention of course!

Perfection from us cannot be achieved, no matter how hard we work.

So, do people get your attention or your perfection? What do our spouses get? Our Children? Our loved ones and friends?

Let's revisit our dinner party example. You're guests come to visit with YOU, not the dinner on their plate or the decorations on the table. They come because they like to talk to you!

We could go on with examples for spouses and kids and family members. But I think we get the point!

I'm guilty of being a Martha! I always try to be Mary, but at the last minute I get all flustered and nervous about everything not being...perfect. {There's that silly non-achievable word again}

So I ask again, do people get your attention or your attempt at perfection?