— Luke 1:26-38

Can you imagine what must have gone through Mary's head? Here she was, about to get married to Joseph and an angel appears to her and tells her she will be with child and will give birth to a son. I don't know about you, but I think I would have pinched myself to see if I was dreaming.

Mary, a single woman who had not had sex, questioned how this was going to be possible. What amazes me is her answer once the angel tells her how. "I am the Lord's servant … may it be to me as you have said." Was she curious and concerned? Sure! But without hesitance she accepted what the angel had told her. I'm wondering how she could be that calm. I would have had a million questions. But that is the difference between Mary and me. In order for Mary to be this calm, accepting and obedient, she must have had a prior relationship with God. She had previous knowledge of who He was and is.

Mary teaches us that in order to be willing to accept God's plan for our lives, we must know him, believe in him, seek him and trust in him. It's a journey that during which through time, as we are obedient with the small things, he will give us more. Where do you think Mary was in her relationship to God to be chosen to be the mother of Jesus?

We further learn about Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, who finds herself pregnant after many, many years of being barren. Elizabeth would give birth to John, the man who would one day announce Jesus was coming. We also learn that Mary stays with Elizabeth for the remainder of her pregnancy. I think of how Elizabeth mentored Mary and vice versa. How they must have laughed, cried and eaten everything in sight. How both of them were living lives only possible through God's provision. 

What We Can Learn From Mary: 

• Trust in the Lord - Mary trusted the angel, a messenger from God.  "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  (Psalm 91:2)
• Love the Lord - Her love for Jesus, and his love for her is evident. Mary stayed by her son 'til the end of his human life on the cross.  "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."  (John 19:25)
• Put God first – She teaches us, through her son, that God must come first, then family.  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  (Matthew 6:33)
• Commitment and obedience brings provision - Jesus, although he had a different path, never forgot his mother and his provision for her. At the end of his life, he made provision for her, as she was now a widow, a single woman.  "When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Woman, he is your son." And he said to this disciple, "She is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home."  (John 19:26-27)
• Leave a legacy - She was committed to the message to reach those for Christ.  "They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus." (Acts 1:14)

Mary believed and trusted God. She was committed to Christ while also having compassion and sorrow at his death.