“For nothing will be impossible with God” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  
- Luke 1:37-38

Devotional:
It was late April 1982. There was no such thing as a home pregnancy test, and I made an appointment with my family doctor. I provided a urine sample, and the doctor sat at the small table next to the exam table, donned a pair of gloves, placed some of my urine on a test slide, added a chemical, swirled them together, and little clumps started appearing. He looked and me and smiled, “Congratulations! You’re pregnant.” These words did not come as a surprise to me. After all, our first wedding anniversary was the following month and I had missed two cycles. Still I was in awe, and a little scared.

I cannot imagine what it must have been like over two thousand years ago, to be a very young woman, a virgin, engaged to be married and to have an angel from heaven come to tell you that you will bear a child. And not just any child; Mary will bear the Son of God! I imagine she was awestruck, frightened, and filled with a thousand questions. But she merely asks, “How can this be?” and the angel explains that the power of the Holy Spirit will make it so. Mary understands this is God asking her to be His servant here on earth. And she accepts.

When I hear that still, small voice of God asking me to be His servant here on earth, I often make excuses: not now, I’m not the right person, I don’t have the skill set, nor the time. I can quickly rationalize away why NOT me!!! But, then God places on my heart this beautiful story of Mary. A young girl. In a tiny village. In an ancient world. With so little means. But so much to offer! And I need to turn my rationalizing on its head and ask, why not ME? And then I feel God’s warmth, and I imagine Him smiling, ‘cause He knows me so well.

“My soul doth magnify the Lord, how can I keep from singing!”

Prayer:
Dearest God, You know our hearts, You know our minds, You know exactly how You made us. When you need us to do Your will in the world, help us to remember Mary and how she answered “Here am I” and that we will answer You with the same love and faith.  Amen.