Let Him bring new, possibly scary, potentially overwhelming things your way and respond with thoughtful contemplation instead of riotous emotion. This is a beautiful way to grow in the Lord. I’m more likely to freak out, call a friend, eat some chocolate, maybe fuss at God and call it prayer. When God speaks to you, do you become thoughtful when your emotions wash over you? That’s not my personal go-to reaction, if we’re being completely transparent. Sweet friend, we have much to learn from Mary. Related: Did I Waste My Potential When I Became A Mom? Are you thoughtful? It add so much depth to motherhood and is incredibly precious. Sweet mama, are you familiar with the practice of pondering in your own quiet time? She listened, she questioned, and even in her lack of understanding she treasured the moment. She didn’t get angry when she found Jesus teaching His elders in the Temple after a three day search and just move forward no, even that she pondered and valued. She cherished the words of Simeon and the joy of the old woman Anna. She wasn’t missing a single moment and each detail was being treated like a treasure. If you’ve had a baby, you know how it can all fly by in a blur of contractions, birthing pains, afterbirth pains, midnight nursings, and visitors.Īnd yet Scripture clearly says she stored it all up in her heart. So many things happened to Mary in such a short amount a time and she treasured it all up in her heart (Luke 2:51). And maybe, just maybe, her heart knew that she tucked the Bright and Morning Star into bed each night. When the moon was full and the stars at their brightest, her mind might have wandered to that Brightest Star that she’d only seen for such a short time. Maybe when she went with her husband to the Temple to offer sacrifices and saw the sheep in the outer courts, the shepherds who had worshipped Him came to mind. Perhaps when the boys had played in the hayloft and came into the house sweaty with the stink of farm animal all over them she remembered the manger He had once laid in. This wasn’t tucking something away in the dark recesses of her heart, but rather a holding of them closely so that she could feel and touch and smell them. She pondered the trek to Jerusalem and the ancient prophecies. She pondered the angel who spoken to her and the message he brought, the quickening in her womb that was literally a diving experience, and even the miracle of his cousin John. She contemplated the shepherds, lowly and smelly and rough around the edges, who came and knelt before the baby who had been kicking inside her womb, even though she’d been a virgin. She pondered, not just on occassion or when a feeling of de ja vu swept over her, but often (Luke 2:19). Luke 2:19 records that Mary kept these things in her heart and thought about them often. But Mary pondered, asked, listened, and responded. She could have freaked out or passed out or laughed with incredulity. Then Mary mulled over his answer and responded (v. She thought about what the angel said and tried to discern what he meant. The Bible tells us she was confused and disturbed (Luke 1:29). The first time an angel spoke to Mary, she wasn’t afraid. I imagine a woman with dark eyes, an observant face, and hidden depths.Īnd I have much to learn from her. Is it of a young girl, delighted to be the chosen vessel? Perhaps you imagine a simply obedient young woman, devout and faithful. What picture do you have of Mary, the mother of Jesus? Have you developed the practice of pondering as a spiritual discipline in your life? Mary did.
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