Life Lessons: Pondering (Mary)

Reading: Luke 2

Mary probably pondered many things in those nine months of pregnancy. How was it all going to work out? When would the baby come? Would she and Joseph be up to raising a son, much less the Son of God? Her life probably became one of constant wonder and inner thought because who else could understand her journey? 

We see one of these quiet moments of reflection as the shepherds arrive to see the angel announced Savior. Luke tells us that they rushed to see the baby after hearing the angels’ message and what they found was Mary, Joseph and the baby in the humblest of circumstances. This is a story we know well but have you ever considered it from Mary’s perspective? She’s just given birth in a stable of all places and she’s probably settling into the new situation when all these smelly guys show up completely informed about what’s occurred. Can you imagine the shock she felt? What about relief? Here are more people who believe what the Lord had said. What a confirmation and a beautiful reminder that these promises would stretch beyond that little stable. 

Verse 19 says that she, “...treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Have you been there before? When God did something so sweet and beautiful that you just have to take a second to rest in the moment before God. Those moments are important. The moments where we are still before God and take in all that is happening. Don’t rush those moments with God. Don’t get your answered prayer and then quickly move on to the next need. Sometimes the greatest blessing is found in the Lord’s methods and orchestration. Don’t rob yourself of this sweetness because you are afraid to be still before the Lord and just ponder.

Today’s Prayer

Thank you for sweet moments of quietness with You. Help me store up Your blessings in my heart and help me learn to ponder the magnitude of all You have done. Slow down my impatient heart when I want to jump ahead of You or when I am quick to take Your blessings for granted.