shadow

Mary

When Your World is Rocked

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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 NASB

What do you do when your world is rocked? You know, when something happens and everything, at least for the moment, changes and forces you to rearrange your life. Over the past few years, unforeseen incidents such as cancer, injuries from a car wreck, a retinal tear, and even brain surgery have shaken my husband and me to the very core of our being and sent us to our knees. . . often.

With Christmas quickly approaching, I find myself pondering the immense life changing experience of the young virgin Mary. She was engaged to marry Joseph; I expect her excitement in becoming a wife was like that of most women.

However, an unexpected visit and a ringing announcement from the angel Gabriel would forever alter Mary’s life. Chosen by God Himself, she was to be the mother of His son, Jesus Christ. The conception would be a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. Wow! Talk about rocking her world!

I can only imagine the anticipation, uncertainty, and ridicule she must have experienced during the ensuing months. This young girl had to grow up in a hurry. She not only experienced the joy of pregnancy, but most likely the shameful gossip and unkindness displayed by those unaware of God’s purpose for her life. But, according to what we see in the Scriptures, she hung in there, never giving up or losing her faith.

Yes, Mary’s precious Child would be the very One to bring hope, help, and healing in her time of need and chaos, as well as ours. When our world turns upside down, rest assured Jesus is the Rock on which we can stand.  [Digging deeper – Ps. 18:2, 62:2; Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:30-31, 2:7, 19, 33-35]

Because of Him,

Beverly <><

Choosing Better

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But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 NASB

_IGP6151She is my first born by one minute and my only girl in a house full of rowdy boys. Time alone, just the two of us girls is rare, and after our hectic morning was a welcome treat. By the afternoon, my house showed all the signs of a busy morning of school and playtime. Household chores seemed to be mounting by the minute. My Type A Personality was beckoned by my to-do list. I wanted to dig in, get busy, cross some things off my list, and feel like I had “accomplished” something. After all, I only had one child at home with me and that should mean I could get even more done!

But this girl of mine, she looks at me and asks if we can just snuggle.

In that moment, looking into her blue eyes, I had a choice to make. My responsibilities certainly needed to be addressed, but so did she. In this divine moment, when the Holy Spirit pressed in and placed a stillness in my soul, I knew the right choice. The dishes would still be there and the laundry (unfortunately) would not fold itself. Those things could wait, but this moment would not. God has given me this precious child. Growing and changing faster than I could ever imagine, there will be a day when she will no longer want to snuggle with her mom. In the scope of eternity, our lives are nothing more than a vapor and can change in a moment’s time.

So I snuggled. At first, I felt restless as my mind raced to my responsibilities. But as the Lord quieted my soul, I knew I had chosen what’s better. In fact, I’d chosen the best. This moment, this God-ordained moment, was the only place that I should be.

Sadly, I get it wrong too many times. I get swept up in the current of this fast-paced life we all live, choosing service over stillness and work over worship. I want to choose what’s better and I want to choose it more often. My heart’s desire is to live with intention, being present for those whom I love the most and for the God who meets me where I am and brings me to where I need to be.

On that day, He met me knee-deep in to-do’s and brought my busy soul to a place of stillness and worship. And with a thankful heart, I snuggled my gift from above.

Choosing better,

Traci

How Close Are You to the Christ Child?

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How Close Are You to the Christ Child?

 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:4-5, NIV
 

Map_Holy_LandchelHow far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? About 100 miles. Not far by car or tourist bus. Pretty far by foot. Very far if you’re nine months pregnant.

Did you know there’s no biblical evidence that Mary, the mother of Jesus, rode a donkey? Chances are good that she walked. Ever since my first child was born on December 20, I’ve claimed Mary’s trip to Bethlehem ranks as one of the great miracles of the Bible!

In addition to physical barriers, Mary also had to overcome cultural barriers. Nazareth was in Galilee while Bethlehem was in Judea. And travelers to Judea usually went around Samaria to avoid the half-breeds who were detested by the Jews.

Mary had to overcome gender issues. She would have as her “midwife” a man with whom she’d never been intimate. How embarrassing! How frightening, as well. Would she not have welcomed a female companion, especially one who had given birth before?

In her willingness to be God’s servant (Luke 1:38), Mary overcame all of these barriers. She gave birth to the Christ child, heard his cries and coos, and wrapped his little body to keep him warm—for your sake and mine. Then she rested—the King of Kings nestled at her side.

How far are you from the living Christ? What barriers do you have to overcome to keep Him near and dear at your side? What obstacles keep Him away? Perhaps, like me, your degree of closeness to Jesus may have more to do with distractions than physical distance.

Resolve this Christmas Eve to put all else aside and welcome Christ—anew and afresh—into your heart today.

Betty