Mommy ponderings . . .

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Few things are more memorable to a mother than the birth of her first-born. Mothers all have a birth story to tell . . . whether it’s a story of a difficult labor and delivery or long-awaited adoption.

I love telling Ben’s adoption story. There has never been another event in my life, before or after his birth, that has convinced me more of God’s gracious love for His children and His desire to grant us the desires of our hearts.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has a story that is a little different. Young, single, poor, betrothed to a poor carpenter, she wasn’t the most likely candidate to usher in the world’s Savior. She was going to have a birth story like no other.

Far away from home, she gives birth and lays her precious baby, the long-awaited Messiah, in a feeding trough. And then, just as she and her husband are getting used to the idea that they were now the parents of a baby boy, who shows up? Shepherds. Strangers. Oh, they were on a mission, of course. Visited by angels and a choir of heavenly hosts, they were instructed not only to go see the new baby, but given specific details of where to find him. But I’m guessing Mary and Joseph weren’t expecting visitors that night.

Can you imagine? I remember when Ben was born. I couldn’t wait to show him off to my friends and family. I couldn’t wait to share the story of his birth and adoption. We were SO amazed at this precious miracle. I’m sure Mary felt the same way. She was probably anxious to share with her friends and family, too. Instead she was visited, in the middle of the night, by dirty, smelly shepherds, who came to see what all the fuss was about.

I’ve often wondered what on earth was going through her mind. How much did she really understand about this special baby?

Mary . . . did you know?

In Luke, chapter 2, we find that after the shepherds have followed all the angels’ instructions, found the baby exactly where they were told he would be, wrapped in strips of cloth, that they went out and spread the word, amazing everyone who would listen. Don’t you just hate it when someone tells your good news before you do?

I’m sure the shepherds shared with Mary and Joseph about the angels visiting them in the field, about the choir of heavenly hosts praising God, and about how they were told where exactly to find them. I’m not sure how I would react to all of this, but we know how Mary responded:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

This was Mary’s birth story. Just like every new mother, she began storing up the memories of her son’s birth in her heart, so that later, just like every new mother, she would have a story to tell.

When Jesus was a month old, his parents took him to the temple for his consecration, and they meet a man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. When he held the baby, he knew this was the Savior and spoke these words:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

That had to be a “wow” moment for a mother.

And then at age 12, at another visit to the temple, during Passover, we find more memories for Mary. This time they leave the temple, not realizing Jesus has stayed behind. After traveling for an entire day, they realize he’s not with them and have to go back to Jerusalem. If they’re anything like me, I’m sure they were not happy with him. They didn’t really understand him when he asked, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?” But they must have known it was important, for once again, we read these words:

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. (vs. 51)

I’m imagining, by this time, Mary has stored up all kinds of things in her heart. I mean really, a perfect child? Some days I think I ponder more on Ben’s imperfections, but I digress.

I think all along Mary was seeing glimpses of who Jesus was becoming. Those are the things she treasured and pondered in her heart. God was revealing to her, moment by moment, year after year, His plan for the life of her baby boy. While she treasured the moments, she likely pondered on their significance.

We do that, too, don’t we? God gives us glimpses into what our children are becoming and we ponder on the significance of these things. We see a child who is good at speaking and loves the Bible, so we ponder whether or not he may become a pastor some day. We watch our daughter’s gift of service to her younger siblings and ponder what kind of mother she might be. I often wonder where Ben’s incredible debate skills will lead him!

I can’t imagine pondering on the future of the Messiah. Simeon gave Mary a glimpse into what was to come. I’m not sure she really got it. Or maybe she did, but her faith was so great that she knew whatever happened, it was all a part of God’s plan.

Perhaps, little by little, God was preparing Mary for the day she would stand at the foot of the cross, while her son, despised and rejected, would be pierced, and bruised, and beaten, and spit upon, and hung on a cross to die for the very people who put him there.

I imagine that all of the words that had been spoken to her, all she had observed as Jesus was growing up, all of those moments she had treasured and pondered, came flooding back to her at that moment. I imagine those are the things that sustained her in what was undoubtedly the worst moment of her life.

I can almost relate to that. There are days, we all have them, when we wonder what on earth is going on. We have wow moments and moments we don’t understand. We hear words from others about our kids and wonder what it all means. As our children grow in independence, we find ourselves confused about what they are doing, and yet we must stand back and allow the growing up to happen. And along the way, we too, are storing up treasures and memories, and pondering these times, so that some day, we can also helplessly, but faithfully, watch our children fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

So, as you go through your busy, sometimes trying days, don’t forget to ponder. It is what we treasure in our hearts that will sustain us.

Please share!

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