Luke 2:19 (NLT) “…but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” This verse is tucked in at the tail end of the Christmas story––after seeing an angel, a rough long journey, the worshipping shepherds, and traveling Magi, and all the excitement of having a front row seat in the script that will forever change the world! I can only imagine what Mary was going through emotionally.
Now, on to a personal note…my wife Jen, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012, gave birth to our second son, Ian Daniel. I have to admit, I am so overwhelmed at God’s goodness and faithfulness. All day Wednesday, I kept thinking back to the birthing experience of our two older kids. I kept pondering in my heart.
As children grow older, they change. They lose their innocence. They value different things. They spread their wings––wanting less of Mom and Dad. I wonder if Mary had heard the stories from other mothers. I wonder if Mary was perplexed at how the life of her son Jesus was going to turn out, even while knowing that he was the Son of God?
I believe that the act of pondering is putting equity in your heart to battle the times that you will endure some 30 years down the road. I believe Mary was developing a relationship with Christ, so that in the hard times, she had a bedrock to fall back on. She was building her foundation, yes, in her son, but more in the “Joy of her Salvation!” I believe that we should follow in the footsteps of Mary!
Can I encourage you this Christmas, to not just think of family and great Christmas events that have been shared in times gone by? But, ponder the times when Christ showed up in your life and things changed. Remember the times that the Lord’s favor came to you in times where you didn’t deserve His presence! Ponder in the easy times, so that in the tough times you are disciplined enough to continue pondering!
Ian Daniel Lewiston was 8lbs 11oz and 21 ½ inches long – that’s a lot to ponder!
Such a sweet statement…God Bless you and your family, Pastor Dan.