Signs and Wonders

Through the years I have so many signs of God showing off in my life. Probably the first one that really got my attention and changed my life was pregnancy. I would read, "What To Expect When You Are Expecting" every day to see what part of my baby was being formed that day and how big the baby was. I wish I would have been spiritually mature enough to be in specific and constant prayer and praise about this baby being formed in my womb. The next thing that got my attention and changed my life was holding that new baby. The praise and prayer came easy. I was in awe of how God had made my body be able to carry a baby, deliver a baby and nurse a baby.

At Christmas I often think of Mary and the feelings she must have had. She did not have birthing classes or books to read. And she had a lot more to have to think about than I did. I was beginning to think about getting pregnant in the future. She wasn't! And I was 28 and married for four years! I cannot imagine this unmarried, innocent girl's confusion! What a willing vessel she was!

Mary was not just willing she was soon filled with awe! Luke 2: 19-20, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." things and pondered them in her heart." Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart! She was focused on God!

I remember reading that God gave the important job of being in awe and wonder to humans. Mary was in awe! Later in her pregnancy when she saw her cousin, Elizabeth, they delighted in what God was doing. Luke 1: 39-56, "When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!' And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.' Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home." Mary saw a miraculous pregnancy and she said, all generations will call me blessed. WOW!

God calls us all to do an assignment. We are to ponder the signs and wonders in our life! That is an easy task - sit, ponder, reflect on all that you are grateful for - all that God has done for you! You awoke to a new day this morning, a fresh start. No better time than Christmas to think about all the gifts you have been given.