Posture of Belief

Believe by the unquiet librarian
Flickr.com_5215537173_0aff0e9598_CC BY -ND 2.0

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!" Luke 1:45

Believing God's promises isn't always easy, especially when He promises the impossible.

I often marvel at Mary's experience with the angel Gabriel, in the Christmas story. There she was, a simple Jewish maiden, minding her own business, maybe hanging laundry, walking back from the market or drawing water from the well, when suddenly Gabriel greets her as God's "highly favored" one.

Scripture doesn't say Mary cowered from his large stature or trembled at the sound of his booming voice. So, not wanting to frighten her, I imagine Gabriel may have seemed a plain man; someone whom Mary would not be afraid. But what did frighten her was Gabriel's greeting. "Greetings! You are highly favored. The Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28)

Now what, God?

Mary awakens. Her newborn, wrapped in rags and lying in a crude straw filled bed, beckons her. Tired from traveling and birthing she had little time to ponder the night’s events—the angelic fanfare and surprise visits from burly shepherds. Busy with all the mundane tasks like feedings and swaddling changes, Mary might have thought, “Now what, God?”

 

Not the life you’d imagine for the mother of God’s son, but just as she was chosen for her faithfulness and servant heart, Mary remained loyal to God’s teaching, even in the midst of the everyday.

After eight day, she and Joseph, “took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,’ and also to sacrifice the ‘pair of doves or two young pigeons’ prescribed in God’s Law,” (Luke 2: 22-24 The Message).

This imagery of Mary’s obedience, offering and sacrifice sets and example for our own lives as we ponder all God may have prophesied over our lives.  

Each January 1^st we awaken to a new birth of sorts that holds endless possibilities, but soon enough, we get stuck in all the striving and the failures that we lose sight of what God’s trying to accomplish. We might even catch ourselves asking, “Now what, God?”**

 

**Wondering how this all ends up? Hop over to {re}fresh and find out.

 

Once a Mama, Always a Mama

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother..." John 19:25a (NIV)

We spend our youth raising children - cuddling babies, changing diapers, kissing scraped-up knees, schooling them and guarding them - equipping them for a successful launch. They outgrow their clothes, their shoes, their toys, our lap right before our very eyes. Then just when we catch a glimpse of who they are - how God created them - they fly away. And our mama's heart keeps right on loving - ever stronger, never shrinking.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Our empty nest offers  us time and freedom, but every idle moment we cover our children with prayer. And, when they face the hard times - take up their cross and bear the pain - we stand near, wishing we could bear their cross instead. Experience tells us, though, that bearing their own cross draws God closer and grows their  own faith. So, we watch and pray - even cry out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Jesus had a mama just like us. Mary raised him - cuddled, kissed, schooled, and guarded him - equipped him for a successful launch. She knew he was created for great things - the Messiah for her people, the world - and yet, he was her child; the one whose scraped knees she kissed and whose toddler hands held hers before he could walk. Then, just when Mary caught a glimpse of who he was - who God created him to be - he flew the nest. And her mama's heart kept right on loving - ever stronger.

Once a mama, always a mama.

It broke her heart when he took up his cross, but she stood near and watched her son bear the world's sin. And, like every mama, I suppose she cried out, "God spare my son. Let me bear his cross." But she knew she couldn't. So, she watched and prayed - even cried out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

And Jesus saw her standing nearby with his dearest friend, John, and said, " 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'here is your mother.' And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home," (John 19:26-27 NIV).

Once a mama, always a mama.

Three days later, Mary gathered with John and all the other disciples and witnessed the miraculous resurrected Jesus - the One whom she birthed and raised and launched. Can you imagine the joy she felt as she beheld her risen son eye-to-eye, all shiny and reborn? How reassuring that all her heart pondered throughout the years, all of God's promises and prophesies foretold, held true in Him. What a moment for that mama!

Once a mama, always a mama.

As my children gather around the Sunday dinner table, I sit quietly soaking in their faces, the sound of their voices, and the brilliance of their lives all shiny like newborns. I savor these moments and tuck them inside my heart for quiet mornings in my empty nest when I pause to give thanks for God's faithfulness in their lives. I don't know what their future may bring, but as long as I live, I will always be their mama - always standing nearby, praying and crying out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Happy Mother's Day!

Have you caught a glimpse of who God created your child to be? Won't you take a moment to give thanks for all you can see and can't see as you stand nearby watching God's faithful promises unfold?

Waiting Together

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth." Luke 1:39-40

Holding an unbelievable secret, Mary ran for the hills--quite literally--seeking the only one sharing her inexplicable circumstance.

Who would believe she received a visit from an angel, let alone a personal word from God and most explosively, carried his son in her belly by some miraculous conception? Who could fathom God's choice in Mary, an engaged, Jewish peasant girl?

 Only Elizabeth.

 And so Mary ran; ran as fast as her pregnant legs could carry her to Elizabeth--the only woman who understood the great honor and the great horror of carrying God's Promise into a dark, confused world.

 I often imagine their relationship those three months--Elizabeth's relief to finally have a two-way conversation after six months living with mute Zechariah; Mary's doubts replaced as Elizabeth's undeniably swollen womb leaps for joy at her voice; Elizabeth's nurturing arms wrapped around Mary's retching body, feeding her unleavened bread and water until the nausea passed; their giggles watching Mary's tight, slender waist disappear under Christ-child bump--their hearts humbled knowing they carried fulfilled prophesies within--the second Elijah and God's Word made flesh--Immanuel.

Oh, can you imagine all the joys and fears and hope shared around Elizabeth's table? How wise for God to provide this companionship--this small community--to sustain one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Hasn't it been like that since Creation? God created man and woman to fulfill His desire for communion (with us and us with each other). We are meant to live in community--to share one another's burdens, joys, fears, accomplishments. But even more, we live to infuse God's hope and courage into one another's lives; to help tie the knots at the ends of our ropes and strengthen our hearts through God's word. We are God-flesh to others.

This Christmas, are you in need of some God-flesh wrapped around your shoulders? Pray God's provision for that person (s) who can wrap arms, speak encouragement, nourish starved, lonely hearts. Are you that God-flesh to someone in desperate need? Draw near and encourage that heart.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  1Thessalonians 5:11

Lord, in the business of today, may we seek community--May we be your light, your arms, your love made flesh to those in need; not just the poor, but also the poor in spirit, the lonely, those in need of divine encouragement. Amen

Christmas Moments: Did You Know?

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

I heard the story of Joseph and Mary every year for the last thirty-two years, but never had I really examined Mary and what she must have been feeling and thinking on that long journey to Bethlehem. As I sat in church a few Sundays before Christmas, I listened to the beautiful words of the special, ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ and tears formed in my eyes. My hand unconsciously rubbed my belly, quite large with our fifth child due just weeks later, wondering if my little one I carried a boy or a girl?

Mary knew.

She knew her little One was a boy. The angel of the Lord had told her nine months before that she would have a Son, and she should call His name Immanuel. I let my mind drift back 2000 years before and put myself in Mary’s place.

Riding a donkey in her condition, bouncing along on the rough trail, feeling every jolt and muscle sway as the rocks rolled underfoot. Walking would have been better, had it not been for the constant tightening of the stomach every few minutes. The baby’s head was obviously dropping. In this strange and unfriendly town, who would attend to her labor and birth of this precious child? Who would know what to do when everyone else failed them?

 Joseph knew.

Joseph knew what to do. His hands were strong and capable of catching the sweet babe as He made His entrance into the cold world. He knew how to bundle the little one with swaddling clothes and lay Him in the manger filled with sweet hay. As the cattle and sheep gently chewed their cud, they watched as their visitors settled down after their long ordeal and slept for a few minutes on the pile of fresh hay, covered with a soft blanket. Nobody else knew of the miraculous birth that occurred that night and nobody cared to come and see the newborn baby.

But the shepherds knew.

The angels appeared to them in the sky above, startling them from their usual quiet chatter as they watched their sheep. The sky lit up with a glorious light, almost blinding them as the angels sang overhead. “Glory to God in the highest!” Their angelic voices rang out with the most beautiful song, praising the Heavenly Father for the birth of God the Son. Only the shepherds heard that song of praise and now came to worship the King.

And today, we still worship our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Did you know that Jesus came to bring peace to His children and is still bringing that peace to us today? Rest in the truth that He will never change and He is the same as He was 2000 years ago. I can truly say I am glad that He chose to come to earth as a man and I know I am going to be with Him someday in Heaven.

How about you….do you know?


About the author:

Cara Simmons is a wife, mother of five, and an author of Christian YA adventure fiction. She's enjoyed writing short stories since childhood and telling them to whomever would listen. From monkey tales to stories of kidnappings, and orphans, Cara wove exciting adventures that thrilled her listeners. In 2007, Halo Publishing International published the first book of her trilogy, The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle: The Haven followed by book two, The Leviathan in 2009. Her final book is presently in the editing process and Simmons hopes to see it published by the end of 2012. To learn more about Cara and her books click here.

Christmas Moments: A Humble Trust

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

Luke 2:6

I read the verse and had to pause for a second as I thought about what it said.
“…while they were there, the days were accomplished…” So many times I have seen movies or heard narratives about the two weary travelers arriving in Bethlehem, exhausted and worn out from their long journey. Mary, on the verge of giving birth, sits upon the back of a donkey, grimacing in pain as Joseph desperately knocks on door after door only to be turned away with the words, “We have no more rooms!”

With one last final attempt of finding lodging for his laboring wife, Joseph begs an innkeeper for a place to sleep. The innkeeper quietly tells him that they can rest in the stable out back. Joseph gladly accepts and gets his wife settled in. Not too long later, a little baby’s cry pierces the night as baby Jesus takes His first earthly breaths as He makes His bloody and watery entry into this earth.

 Taking a look at this verse again, I cannot help but wonder just how long did Mary reside in that stable before actually giving birth to her Son? Assuming hundreds, maybe even thousands of people arrived in Bethlehem around the same time, the tax process would not have been completed overnight with that many people to count. Did Mary and Joseph have to wait in line, day after day, until it was their turn to be counted?

 It is only speculation on my part, as with any of these stories that people have written about the birth, seeing that we only know a small part through what the Bible explains to us. Maybe God wanted Mary to learn something while she waited for her little one to arrive. She was already a humble girl, having meekly taken on the task of carrying God’s Son in her womb. She never questioned the angel’s words in any way, only to politely ask “How shall this be seeing I know not a man?” After the angel kindly answered her, Mary’s humble reply clearly said, “I am surrendered to do whatever God wants. My life is His.”

Whether it was that night, a day later, or even a week later when baby Jesus was born, God’s timing was perfect in the arrival of His Son. Everything worked out exactly to God’s plan, and through it all, God taught the chosen mother of His precious Son, that He was in control, and even though the circumstances and place may not have been her first choice, she could trust Him through it all. If she could learn that lesson before the birth, then she would be able to put all the unknowns of the future of this precious Baby at the feet of Jesus’s Father, and trust Him to see her through all the trials that lay ahead which would lead to Jesus’s ultimate reason for even entering the world….the cross.


About the author:

Cara Simmons is a wife, mother of five, and an author of Christian YA adventure fiction. She's enjoyed writing short stories since childhood and telling them to whomever would listen. From monkey tales to stories of kidnappings, and orphans, Cara wove exciting adventures that thrilled her listeners. In 2007, Halo Publishing International published the first  book of her trilogy, The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle: The Haven followed by book two, The Leviathan in 2009. Her final book is presently in the editing process and Simmons hopes to see it published by the end of 2012. To learn more about Cara and her books click here.

 

Christmas Moments: Letting Go

Welcome guest blogger and freelance writer, Cheri Liefeld:

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

The last few Christmas mornings I woke up and realized I missed Christmas. I let busy work schedules and distractions keep me from experiencing Christmas.

 Sure, I had fun watching my niece and nephews open up their presents; I even made it to two school programs. But there was little joy and I forgot about the hope this season offers. I missed reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.

 This Christmas I am choosing a different path. I left my job with the crazy schedule. I made a conscious choice to approach it differently. I am trying to soak it in. I am taking moments each morning to spend time with God. I have let go and decided to stop trying to create the perfect Christmas moments. I can tell you that what God has brought my way has been much better.

 Today I was thinking about Mary and what she let go of in her life to give birth to Jesus. She gave up control of her life and the plans she was making. She let go of what people thought - you know there had to be whispers. She chose to believe the Angel of the Lord and walk in faith. Her faith in God leads her to being the mother of Jesus and receiving favor.

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:16-19 NIV).

Treasure and ponder - don't you love those words? I want to treasure the moments and the people the Lord brings into my life this month. I want to ponder all that God has done in my life this year; the way He saved this broken girl so many years ago and transformed my life. I want to meditate on His words and then put them into action. I want to give more than I receive.

Mary focused on what really mattered. She did not miss the moment. What can you let go of this Christmas season?

About the contributor:

Cheri Liefeld is a freelance writer and speaker who focuses on food, faith and family over at Adventures In The Kitchen and GirlGodGrace. Her passion is to encourage women to find healing from their past and experience the grace of God.