Mary

Tonight I read the story of Jesus' birth as I often do on Christmas eve.  Without fail, every year, something new stands out to me in this 2000 year old story.  This year, it was Mary's response to God's request.

Pieta- by Michelangelo, Vatican 2008

These past four months, I have worked hard to control my response to situations rather than controlling situations that cannot be controlled.  Tonight when reading a story that I have read at least a dozen times, I was blown away by Mary's faith and trust in God's request (for a moment, try and imagine what it would be like to be hanging out and an angel appear and tell you that you will become pregnant- and deliver the Son of God to the world... completely normal, right?!).  Without hesitation, Mary said yes to God's plan for her life. And though it does not say, I wonder if Mary knew how much she would sacrifice to obey God...

History indicates that Mary was likely a teenager at the time she was approached by the Angel of the Lord detailing God's plan for her to give birth to the Savior of the world.  I shutter to imagine what my response would have been.  Especially considering the culture she was living in.  Her song which is accounted for in Luke, shows a deep understanding of God's plan as well as wisdom beyond her years.

Therefore, tonight the connection I am trying to make is quite simple.  If Mary can put her entire life plans on hold to say yes to God, then it can be done.  Mary was just an ordinary girl, whom the Lord picked because she "found favor with God".  She likely had her own set of fears and doubts.  It would not surprise me if she had second thoughts about obeying God. But, Mary answered the call so beautifully.  She said showed courage, strength and honor and made a difficult decision to follow God.

So tonight, I am praying that I can continue to obey God's plan for my life.  And accept that there are things I do not understand and may never understand this side of heaven.  I am learning to be content with the grey area in my life a little more each day.  And rest in the knowledge that it is in that gray area where God does some of his best work in my life.  I am thankful for Mary.  I am thankful for God's Son.  And I am thankful that I have a God that continues to love me in the moments where I am not courageous, do not trust and/or do not have strength.