Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Treasured Heart

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart" Luke 2:19

I just bet that Mary could mark the birth of Jesus as one of the most important days of her life. She ended up delivering her son in most likely a cave with just her and Joseph. No mother anywhere around to help her with the birth. On the 8th day they are faithful to their Jewish tradition and go to the temple to offer a sacrifice for the birth of this God-child.

They encounter Simeon who is a favorite of mine. God had promised him that he would not die before he saw the Christ. The written prayer of his found in chapter 2 is so profound. Here was a man that waited patiently for the Christ and when the baby was brought in there was no doubt this would be the Christ. Imagine being Mary and Joseph listening to the prayer. Scripture says that they "marveled" at what had been said. He then turns to Mary and foretells the future along with a warning that Mary's heart would be pierced. My guess is by this point Mary is pretty shaken.

Then comes Anna, a widow who spent many years in the temple day in and day out praying and fasting. Oh to have the devotion that Anna displayed. After her husband died she spent her time praying and fasting waiting for the LORD. When she saw the baby she knew it was the Savior and proclaimed to anyone who would listen that he had arrived.

What a day that was for Mary and Joseph. It had to have been a day filled with hope and affirmation for what they were about to embark on, raising the Savior. Mary would need to remember this day 33 years later at the terrible crucifixion of her son, Jesus. Mary treasured all these things up. A real mom who knew the utter joy of having others bow down and worship her son. These precious memories would help greatly in the years to come. This is not the only time she treasured all these things in her heart. Do you know of another time?

Life is short my sweet friend. In the blink of an eye everything can be wiped away that we know and love. It is good to treasure every blessing we have in our hearts. It could give us great hope in the challenges that lie ahead.

Till tomorrow
In Christ Alone,
Jill



Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up".

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