PROVISION

December is a big birthday month for our family---three birthdays in one already busy month.  There are only a dozen of us in my immediate family, so a fourth of us have birthdays-all packed in the days before Christmas!  Our birthdays are special days for us--but they can get lost in the hubbub of the season if we are not careful.



I well remember the joyful anticipation of the birth of my son and grandson during the days leading up to Christmas.  It was a time of great excitement and anticipation and the days were filled with joy.

Long ago---a young woman was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah.  What must Mary have thought when the angel visited her?  Great anticipation of the birth of the King-  the shear wonder of "Why me?"- and perhaps even apprehension when reality set in.



Times have changed A LOT--in my lifetime.  What is socially acceptable now---was not even an option in the years of my youth.  To have a baby without being married--was rarely done--and socially condemned.  What must it have been like in the days of the holy birth?  Once the wonder of the miracle which was foretold had settled in and people began to notice Mary's belly growing---how did she handle the whispers and perhaps even overt slander?  The Word never alludes to any of this-but--my mind began to wonder--as I considered the birth of God's own son.

It became apparent--PERHAPS --Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth to get away from the gossip--the criticism--the pain and injury caused by a condemning world.  Who would believe this young girl was visited by an angel--who would believe a virgin would give birth--Who would stand by her and defend her?  When it became overwhelming--perhaps her parents sent her away--for the good of all.

AND THEN---God provided--reassurance--confirmation--hope--affirmation in the form of the words of Elizabeth-


"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear."
Luke 1:42

Jehovah Jireh provided Mary with the sure and certain knowledge she was blessed and did indeed carry His son.  He provided the courage to face public ridicule and scorn--for HE was Truth--and the truth was confirmed by Elizabeth.

What a beautiful picture of God's provision in our lives.  We are not promised lives of ease---we are promised He will provide.  As we move through trying times --may we always remember---as He provided for Mary--so He will provide for us-strength-courage-endurance to face each day and His constant presence along the way.


"Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone
I Chronicles 29:12


4 comments

  1. As you say, Lulu; times have changed. In the times of Mary, for a woman to be pregnant whilst not married was not only a scandal, but her family would have ostracised her, and the public would have stoned her to death. To then claim that the baby was the Son of God would have been blasphemous in the extreme. Yet, despite the risk for her own safety, and that of her family; Mary said YES. We have a lot to thank her for.

    Thank you Lulu for this most wonderful post. One of your best.

    God bless you.

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    1. Thank you-Victor! As you said, "Mary, said, 'Yes' "---Indeed we have much to learn from her!
      Blessings, Friend!

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  2. I can only imagine how frightened she had to be...and confused and everything...thank you Lulu...many Blessings and Happy Birthdays. (our birthdays are in March)

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    1. It is mysterious how we all can be grouped into one month out of twelve, Friend~
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!