34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Although Mary was favored by God, it did not mean life would be easy.
In fact, this assignment would bring suffering and uncertainty. Mary would be misunderstood, mischaracterized. She could possibly lose Joseph. How would she tell her parents? People would accuse her and Joseph of sleeping around.
Despite all this… Mary said yes to God.
Her exact response: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
I’m not sure I would have had the same response. I know I would have asked more questions. But she didn’t. Her solitary reply was in essence, “Lord, I am Your handmaiden. Whatever You want, I want.”
Total submission. No other questions.
Scripture doesn’t tell us how she shared the news with her parents or Joseph. We’re merely told she “hurried to a town in the Judean hill country” to visit her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth.
Maybe she needed time to process such major news with someone who was older than her in the faith. Someone who spoke her faith language. Someone who would not doubt her story. Someone who would affirm her calling.
It’s so important to have friends that speak our faith language. Older women that can encourage us in our callings…
At last Friday’s Luncheon,
Lisa shared a few of her SIMPLE recipes.
Enjoy!
2017 Easy Recipes at Christmas