Day # 9: Go to a local church event for women ONLY
Every year my church (like how I still say my church~it's the one back in Marietta, GA) hosts an incredible event for ladies at the onset of the Christmas season. Women at our church are asked to "host" a table by decorating it and inviting friends, churched and unchurched. Brunch is served by church members and there is always fabulous music and an inspiring speaker. And this friend co-chairs it!
This year it was cold enough for all the church ladies to wear their fur coats. Two or three Sundays a year those babies come out. I'm curious to see if any EVER come out of the closet here in Florida!
I never bring my camera to this event. I should.
My dear friend Claudia always hosts three tables, invites many friends and even pays for our tickets. She is a talented decorator and floral arranger. Her spiritual gift is definitely hospitality! If you want to see some pictures at her house, take some time to revisit this post from last year's ornament exchange at her house. See it in all it's Christmas glory!
Anyway, this year her tables were gorgeous, and I was so blessed to be included even though we have moved. Even better was the fellowship with the ladies at our table. I got to catch up with old friends and hear an amazing testimony from Nancy Guthrie and beautiful music from Ginny Owens.
So yesterday when I sat down to write this post, I couldn't find my notes that I took during the brunch. I looked through three trash cans filled with unspeakable nastiness, but to no avail.
So I didn't post yesterday. Satan got me lazy and thinking I couldn't do this post.
Here's what I can remember, so it must be good, right?
Mary was just a teenager. Mary was probably somewhere between 13- and 15- years- old. We often think of her as a really pure, good girl. We think of her as this unachievable picture of goodness and holiness. All because of these words:
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:26-28)
The words "highly favored" make US think Mary has done something with her life that has pleased the Lord. That she was good enough to be given the responsibility of birthing the world's Saviour.
But none of us are good enough. She wasn't good enough. She was BLESSED with a responsibility. She was showered with His gift of giving birth to the Saviour of the world, the King of all kings.
She just had to say, "yes."
Yes, Lord. I'll take this burden. I'll darken my reputation here on earth. I'll risk losing my betrothed. I'll risk disgracing my family. I'll risk losing everything. Yes, Lord.
Really, what she said was:
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)
How often do I grumble and say, "Lord, I don't really want to do this" or "Lord, can you really be putting all this on me, right NOW, of all times"?
"Can You make all of this just go away? Can you provide some relief? Come on, Lord! Please?"
Mary was about to get married. She was on the way to living her dream for her life. Marrying a good man from a good Jewish family, no doubt about to start a family of her own. She changed directions and accepted the Lord's favor and did what He wanted her to do.
And she said, "I am the Lord's servant."
People. A teenager said this. Why can't I?
That's all I can remember from my notes, but I think it's enough. Got the point, Lord.
1 comment:
Funny, I can't seem to find my notes, either... but what hit me is exactly what you shared. What a great reminder esp. this season!
Merry Christmas!
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