God's Graciousness

Yesterday, I was reading out of my Bible to Truman and Harrison.  Don’t be impressed, this is rare.  But, I wanted to do something special/traditional for Advent this year and so I purchased a really great e-book that takes the reader through the Christmas story, via the Bible, along with a daily craft (once again, don't be impressed, very rare!) and discussion questions.  So fun!Yesterday, we were working on the secret word:  Mary.  So, I’m reading the passage and every time Truman hears the word Mary…he yells her name!  Hilarious.  And I’m also digressing so stay with me, I’m getting back to the heart of the matter.The story of Mary unfolds in Luke 1:26.  As most of us know, Mary is a virgin, pledged to be married to Joseph, whom is a descendant of David.  The angel Gabriel shares with Mary that she is “highly favored”.  He then tells her she will conceive and give birth to a son.  She is to call him Jesus.  She wonders how this could possibly be, as she is a virgin.  Gabriel proceeds to explain to Mary exactly how this will happen and closes with this:

Luke 1:37  “For no word from God will ever fail.”

And it’s the next verse that brought the tears:

Luke 1:38  “’I am the LORD’s servant,’ Mary answered.  ‘May it be to me according to your word.’  Then the angel left her.”

And I realize that the crafts, secret words and verses are for me, too!  What strikes me is that Mary was completely open to what God had planned for her.  She wanted to understand how she would conceive (sounds fair to me) and proceeds to fully trust God.  She was completely willing to open her hands wide and accept what God was giving her.  It seems she truly understood her life was not her own, it was the LORD’s.I also love that God was gracious enough to give her another woman in a similar situation.  It was her cousin, Elizabeth.  She as well was expecting, already in her sixth month and was “in her old age”.  Can you imagine the ridicule they would endure back then?  One woman too old, the other not married?  God gave them each other!  Support. community.  It's so critical and it's God's design!So I sit here with a full heart, friends.  We are God’s servants.  He asks us to do things that we may not feel equipped to do.  We may worry about what others think.  But this is all so unnecessary.  He knows what’s best.  And He even surrounds us with others walking a similar path to hold us up!So I must ask:  What is God asking of you?  Have you been obedient in accepting His plans with hands wide open?  Do you see his graciousness in surrounding you with just the support you need during this time?  Please know it’s okay if you haven’t had a “Mary” response.  I know I sure haven’t of late.  But I’m encouraged to shift my heart perspective.  And to remember God’s graciousness.  He provides exactly what we need!