Mary

As I read through my study on Jesus' mother Mary last week, I was reminded of the wonderful song by Michael English, Mary Did You Know. If you haven't heard it in a while, I highly recommend it. It brings tears to my eyes every time as I try to imagine myself in Mary's 'shoes'.

Mary, did you know how great your Baby Boy would be? No, I don't think she could have fully grasped His Greatness; I don't think we will ever be able to either. Gabriel said to her 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." ~Luke 1:28-33~

Although Mary was frightened with the angel's first words and although she was uncertain how this 'would come to be', Mary believed. "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." Without fully knowing God's plans and despite any fears she had, Mary trusted in God and knew His words to be true. We don't always know or need to know God's plans, just that He has them! "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope..." ~Jeremiah 29:11~

I say this because I believe Mary is a beautiful example for us of submission and trust. It is normal to be fearful and uncertain, but we must never let that inhibit our trust in the Lord and we must continue to have faith and follow Him; no matter the cost.

A few scriptures that stood out in my mind:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." ~Luke 1:46~

Magnifies means 'to show respect, to hold in high esteem. Mary's soul respects God and rejoices in Him. This is her key to faith I believe! This is her example and 'advise' to us!

I can only imagine how fearful new mothers are... 'Will I teach my child correctly? Will they be safe? etc, etc, etc...' How fearful Mary must have been raising the Son of God! But I am comforted in reflecting that Mary must have been reminded by God that we can not parent alone. We must parent with God. He is the one who must lead and guide. We must follow. We can only teach our children so much. God teaches them so much more than we ever can. Parenthood is not about control, but rather following God to glorify Him as He teaches and guides our children!

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." ~Luke 2:19~

We all have difficult days; days that create doubt and fear. Mary's statement above is an example to us to hold tight to God's Word and teachings and to ponder them daily. He is the one who will get us through!

At the end of the study, we were asked "When has trust in God and submission to His will come easiest for you? Why? When is it hardest? Why?

Trust in God is easiest for me when I am looking at the bigger picture, when there are many unknowns to me and I know God is in control. As my friend put it, it is easiest to trust God when we are in the Word; when we keep our focus on Him and not 'Me'. Trusting God is harder for me when it deals with my deepest passions He has placed in me, or my deepest fears. I trust God, but it's hard to 'give up control' when it's something I want so bad or fear most will happen. Relinquishing this control is the most precious form of faith there is. At the end of the day, no matter what happens, I find peace and joy in knowing that God is still and will forever be God!