“Bake the bread, roast the goat, shell the lentils for stew,”
Aunt Martha gave orders. “There is so much to do!
The food must be perfect. Everything made just right.”
I asked my Aunt Mary, “Who’s coming tonight?”

“It’s Jesus,” she said. “He’s our special guest.”
Well, no wonder Aunt Martha was acting so stressed.
Aunt Mary seemed calm, not worried one bit.
She smiled as she turned the roast goat on the spit.

Jesus arrived with more friends than we thought.
“I hope there’s enough!” Martha looked in the pot.
I brought out the stew. The bread turned out fine.
I filled up the cups with cool water or wine.

Then I noticed Aunt Mary at Jesus’ feet.
(Aunt Mary was supposed to be cooking the meat.)
Aunt Martha burst in. She smelled of burnt goat,
With soot on her clothes and a growl in her throat.

“Mary’s not helping me, Lord. Don’t You care?
I’m working; she’s sitting. It just isn’t fair!
The dinner is burned. She’s ruined the night,
And I worked so hard to make everything right!”

Jesus listened, then smiled. He knew all she had planned.
“Martha, don’t worry.” He held out His hand.
She sat with her sister by Jesus, their guest.
Doing for Him is good; being near Him is best.

We had a great party. We ate and we shared.
The goat tasted burned but nobody cared.
Our time and our friendship is what Jesus wishes,
And when Jesus left, Mary washed all the dishes.