BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! The alarm's going off. Your bleary eyes try to open as your brain tells your hand to make the noise stop. OK. Time to get up. OH MY GOODNESS!! I FORGOT TO GET A TUX FOR THE RINGBEARER!!! So you write that down in your nearby day planner and go to brush your teeth. Now you're awake, with the kind of adrenaline known only to soon-to-be brides.

As you step into the shower, you wonder what else you might be forgetting or what might go wrong. "What if the bridesmaid dresses don't arrive on time?" "Oh yeah—I still need to get a unity candle." "Should we have communion or not?" "What if the flower girl runs to her mommy instead of walking down the aisle?"

If the scene above describes your daily morning ritual, you're at a time in your life like Martha's in Luke 10:38-42. I, too, was often stressed and possibly detail-obsessed when planning my own wedding. Unfortunately, my thoughts remained locked on my plans in the morning, in the evening and even during my quiet time. In reading verse 40 (NIV), I found a kindred stressball spirit: "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made." And then Jesus spoke words that really hit home. "Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed."

How can we focus on the "one thing" when we're consumed with a million things, determined to have a perfect, beautiful wedding celebration?

After reflecting on this passage, it becomes apparent that it's a matter of perspective and priorities.