Lessons From A Young Mom

This week I've been studying through the part of the Christmas story in Luke 1:26-56 where Mary is visited by Gabriel and then goes to visit Elizabeth. Below I've listed several lessons learned and/or reminders from this passage along with the verse from where the lesson comes. I encourage you to look up this passage and use this little list as a springboard for your own study.

1.) vs. 28 - "And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" - Just as Mary is called to rejoice because the Lord is with her, so do I have cause to rejoice as the Lord is continually with me.

2.) vs. 29 - "But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was." - Mary was troubled and seemingly unnerved by this visitor (wouldn't we all be?!), yet she doesn't lose her head. The verse said that she "considered" - meaning she "reckoned thoroughly, reflected." This verse reminds me not to lose my head in the midst of fear, stress or trouble. Though these feelings are real, I need not be controlled by them. By God's grace, I can choose to consider, reflect and think - even in the midst of fear.

3.) vs. 31 - "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS." - Mary is given a job to do: that of bearing and raising the Messiah. Motherhood was Mary's work for God. I must NEVER forget that being a mother and raising my sons as Christ's followers is of valuable service to God. It IS my work for Him, not something to get done so I can do REAL ministry for the Lord.

4.) vs. 38 - "Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." - Mary not only accepted God's will but desired it. She didn't say, "Woe is me! OK, Lord, I'll carry this cross. (But I won't like it!)." What a lesson for me! To do God's work with will and joy and desire - even when it's not pretty.

5.) vs. 46-56 - Mary's song of praise reminds me to praise Him in the difficult times. I'm sure there was joy in Mary's heart about being given the honor of carrying the Messiah. Yet I'm also sure that she knew it would be no picnic. In fact, it would be life-altering. Yet Mary's song focuses on God, not worry over herself. She focuses on eternal, not temporal. Reminds me to focus on the blessings of hard situations and on the good God who uses hard things for His glory and my good.