After Mary’s visit from the angel announcing God’s choice of her to bear the Messiah.  Mary started a difficult journey.  Her family would be scandalized, her fiance Joseph would want to break the engagement quietly and the gossip would begin in her small town.  Where to begin?  Well, the obvious place was trust.  Trust that God knew what he was doing.  Trust that God’s plan would work for good, even though she didn’t sound very excited about it.  “Let it be according to your word.”

When a few months had passed.  Parents had wept.  Joseph changed his mind because of the dream God gave him.  Aunt Elizabeth had blessed her rather than criticized her.  Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey continued.  A very pregnant young mother traveling to Bethlehem.  We don’t know that she rode a donkey.  It’s possible.  We just know they made the difficult journey and when she arrived it was time to give birth.

Our journeys are a lot like Mary and Joseph’s.  Life doesn’t always turn out like we planned.  I meet very few people that life is just like they imagined it would be when they were students.  We begin with trust.  Trust that the Good Shepherd will accompany us along the way.  Our journeys will have difficult moments, challenging moments but we will never be alone.  Our journeys will have the beautiful places of renewal, rest and beauty.  And our destination is beyond imagination.  Trust. “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, NLT

Where are you in your journey?  What challenges do you face?  Do you know you’re not alone?  Where are you going?  Do you know how to trust in the Lord?  … for your family?  …for your spouse?  ….for the journey?

Peace and Joy!