Expectant Wonder
- Barbara Fehr
- Nov 30
- 6 min read
“...how do we realistically and obediently dedicate our days to the One whom they always belonged to begin with?”
“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.’” Luke 1:34-37
I am sitting here this morning at my kitchen table, Bible open next to cold coffee, jumping up every few seconds to grab toast from the toaster, help find a sock, and make a glass of something for one of my four blessings. The day ahead of us is full. Holiday and travel prep, but also school and regular things that must be done in a day. There just are not enough hours, and certainly not enough to be focused on the wonder and reason for the holiday we are about to celebrate.
But in the moments that I return to the computer to write, I think of Mary. A young girl, maybe an early teenager if that. When the angel appeared to her, she was ready, though she did not know what for. If an angel appeared to me right now, I think it would find me wanting, scrambling, distracted, and a bit forgetful. What sets Mary apart? Other than the fact that she did not yet have a home full of blessings to take care of, how was she able to respond in belief and submission so easily?
I did a little digging and learned that church tradition believes that Mary was raised in the temple, along with other young girls, with daily instruction and dedication to the Word. She spent her days preparing for whatever the Lord would bring to her, with no promise that what He brought would be as monumental as it was. She was brought up with such a foundation that she was not caught off guard and unbelieving, like her relative Zechariah was. She believed. Immediately. Of course, she had questions, like anyone else would have, given the miracle to come. But she believed. I wonder how much her upbringing and daily dedication prepared her for that moment, to not hesitate when called upon.
What can we learn from how young Mary lived her life? How can we mimic it in the midst of our chaos? Certainly, most of us do not have full days to spend in prayer and reading scripture, so how do we realistically and obediently dedicate our days to the One whom they always belonged to begin with?
Today, ponder those questions. This week, we will investigate ways we can prepare our hearts for the Wonder we celebrate this season.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word be fulfilled.’” Luke 1:38
To whom do our days and lives belong? Are we servants of our families, our church, our job, our world? Or are we servants of the Lord? That does not mean we do not serve in all of those locations, but who are we serving? Mary had a heart posture that reflected whom she served in all she did. When the Master comes and calls upon us, are we faithful servants who answer with obedience? Or do we truly serve and place our priority somewhere else? Our phone, our to-do list, our own expectations, the praise of others? What is our heart posture?
This morning, open your Bible. Listen to the Father. He is good and loving and provides for all that we need. He is worthy of our hearts, obedience, and service because He alone knows all that is before and behind us. He alone knows us, fully and truly. He alone can have our best interests at heart. He is trustworthy with everything we have. Ask Him this morning to reveal to you who or what you are serving in your day-to-day. If it turns out you are not really serving Him, pray. Pray in thanksgiving that He cares enough to reveal this to you. Pray in earnest for the strength and courage to place Him as the Lord of your days.
Wednesday:
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45
Let us talk about that all-too-real to-do list this morning. We have responsibilities and socks to wash. The kids must eat, which requires some level of meal prepping and dish washing. Do we do it all through the lens of belief in the one who ordained this day to occur?
I read recently in a “restful homeschool” book that we have only been given 24 hours in a day, half of which are not made to be productive. And that is what God gave us to be able to complete our tasks. He did not give us 36 hours on purpose. So, if we have so much to do that those 24 hours are not enough, then we are not looking to serve God, but our to-do list. He is the one in control of this day. If there are not enough hours, He never intended for that task to be completed today. Let us believe that what He says is true. That He made this day. He will provide everything that is needed for today. He has not abandoned us or forsaken us. He ordained the events of today for us to live through. Let us respond to each interruption, each meal prep, each sink of dishes as though the Lord, who Mary responded to with full belief and trust, mad this day for us. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us meet Him with a Hallelujah.
Listen to the song “Let it be a Hallelujah” by Lauren Daigle
Thursday:
“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,” Luke 1:46-48
Do you feel blessed this morning, mom friend? Does your spirit rejoice and your soul glorify the Lord? Some days, maybe, but I am betting that there are definitely a few when the world does not feel like that for you. We get bogged down in all the things, maybe even the heavy expectations we put on ourselves to make this season magical for everyone else. Living under so much pressure that we cannot rejoice and truly glorify the Lord. It can feel like we are trapped, a bit dead inside, living but not. I want to proclaim freedom from all of that for you.
We have talked this week about putting God in His rightful place as Lord of our lives, just as Mary did. Ready to obey when He calls upon us. This is not another thing to add to your list, but it is THE list. Remember that you do not control today or anyone else’s experience of Christmas. Jesus does. That is His. Give it back. He offers you freedom to truly live and rejoice in this season and every season (even the hard ones). Mom, He is in this with you. He is holding it all. If He calls you to do something, He will give you the tools to accomplish it. Trust in him, cling to Him. Pray your memorized verses over and over again. Call out to Him when you start to falter. He will carry you. He promises in Matthew 28:20 to never leave you or forsake you. You can do this day and this week and this season because the God of the Universe is walking through it with you. Not watching you do all the things, but doing all the things WITH you.
Listen to Glorious Day by Kristian Stanfill
Written by Barbara, mom of four, who is taking the last sip of cold coffee while the youngest tries to pour her own glass of milk. Prayers appreciated.
