Mary did you know?

I recently read a Francine Rivers' book that focused on five women that were in the direct line of Jesus. I loved every story in this book. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary were incredible women. The bravery and courage that they had during a time in which women were not thought to be so. Every time I got to the end of a story, I would think it was my favorite one and then I read the next one. Ruth always has a special place in my heart because my mama used to read me bible stories when I was a little girl and the story of Ruth was my favorite. I think Lineage of Grace highlighted a new favorite for me, Mary.

We always hear the Christmas story from the Bible and we think about how special Mary is. We know that she is revered as the Mom of all Moms. In reality though, Mary wasn't really Jesus' mother as He did not come from her DNA, only from her womb. He was all God's creation completely.

In my mind, that would make Mary a surrogate that raised the baby. I have a sweet friend that just went through the experience of surrogacy. She and her husband were gifted with a beautiful baby girl, a miracle baby, because of the love of a sister-in-law. The whole entire pregnancy unfolded in the womb of a different mom. I cried when they announced it and again when she was born. Watching it all unfold gave me goose bumps. Given a gift of pure love, that is what they were given. Her sister-in-law is an amazing woman to me. Now that woman knows how to give a gift! Giving up her womb for nine months to another woman that could not bear a child, what a selfless act. Isn't that what Mary did too?

When the angel came to Mary, she didn't say "NO!" She said my faith will allow me to do this. Yes, Lord I can! Boy, did Mary ever step out of the boat-way before Peter ever did! To have a faith like that, to say yes when God asks, imagine it! I can't. I cower in the corner when he asks me to do simple things! I question and overthink and doubt. Not Mary! She said YES!

She did what the sister-in-law did. She selflessly gave up her womb to house the child of the Most High God. Knowing that people would talk about her, knowing that she was causing possible ruin to Joseph, she still said YES LORD! She didn't whisper it either, she declared that if God said this was to happen let it happen. Her faith was much larger than a mustard seed. So many times I have said, Lord- let me be like Ruth. Now I say, Lord- let me be like Mary.

Let me have a faith like Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. All of these women had incredible faith. They were also able to take the actions that they needed in order to complete their calling. That is what my greatest heart's desire is- complete the task that God has created just for me because I had the faith and I took action. I can't do it alone. God has to push me. Sometimes it may feel like I have tripped and fallen out of the boat instead of stepped, but no matter how I get out into the water, God's got me. He's my life saver. Literally. He sent us Jesus as the ultimate gift. He loves me unconditionally, which I need because of my faults and sins. Aren't those the best pecans we could ever get? This Christmas when you are with your loved ones, remember that the best #pecanreport ever came in the form of a simple woman named Mary that said YES LORD! And the miracle of miracles began on Earth.