Replacing Fear with Trust

Though I was a young, vulnerable mom, I still considered myself a strong woman of faith. But, it was still so difficult to see my baby girl and my baby boy suffer. I’ve heard it said that “It’s harder on the mom to watch her child suffer than the child suffering.” I don’t believe it for second, but sincerely, one of the hardest thing for a parent to do is watching their children hurt – for any reason – and whether they are young or older. I wished many times that I could haven taken their place.

As Christmas is almost here, I’m drawn to the story of another mother who watched her child suffer. At our “Advent Meditations with Mary” study this week, we talked about Mary’s true grit as she endured watching her beloved Son suffer. Like most mothers, she loved and cared for her Baby Boy and 40-days after his birth, Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the temple. Simeon prophesied to Mary “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). She was forewarned. In our group, we talked about how she must have carried those words with her all of her beloved Son’s life.

I’m grateful that my own son and I have a very close relationship. He has been an open book to me – telling me his innermost thoughts and feelings most all of his life. Even when he started dating, he couldn’t wait to tell me about the date. As we talked in our discussion group, we envisioned that it was probably like that between Mary and her Boy. It was most likely that their relationship was intimate and endearing and He talked to her about His road up ahead. He prepared her. We suspect that she told Him that she would never leave Him no matter what the future looked like – and she didn’t.

When He was 33, Mary’s Son hung on a rugged cross to bear the weight of humanity’s sin. As He suffered, she never left His side. When He died, His body was placed in a tomb, and a large stone rolled over the opening. Three days later, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was no longer there. That day, a physical stone was rolled away from the mouth of a tomb, but so was the burden on a mother’s tender heart. Scripture doesn’t speak to it, but we moms just know that she had, literally, INSIDE information that she would see her Son again. And, she did and she does today. Her Son suffered but His life left an eternal impact on the world. Throughout Jesus’ life, and even in His death, Mary stood close to Her son, but God drew even closer. And in our suffering, God draws even closer to us.

Over the months and years, as I loved and cared for my own children, I learned to replace fear with trust. I still do that today when I pray for them. To exchange uncertainty with truth that God’s hand is over my children, in health, in peace, and still in times when I see them suffering in any way. Remembering God has a plan for them as He did with His own Son, I know God has a great plan for my children and me -- even though I may not fully understand what that looks like. But He sure does.

As this Christmas approaches, we will praise and worship God for His great gift to Joseph and Mary and to all of us. We will worship this precious Baby in the manger -- but the story gets so much better. Simeon had a painful message for Mary. But she discovered that for those who trust God, He uses soul-piercing events to unleash more grace, salvation, and joy into the world than we could have ever imagined. We know the massive stone of fear was rolled away, revealing our Savior lives, and because He lives – SO DO WE! Praise God forevermore!

Mary, Did You Know?

I love this song so much, and even more so since the song is being sung by my daughter with the backdrop of the "Son of God" movie at Elevate Life Church's Christmas production all of this week. BTW -- the production will continue tonight and every night and two times on Christmas Eve. If you're in the area, I urge you to attend. The music, lighting, and visuals are breathtaking!

As Staci sings this inspiring and heart-touching song -- we don't see that sweet and mild visual of Mary pondering her baby's future, but this production conveys the REAL story of a "true grit" mom who had heard Simeon's prophecy in the temple "Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul" (Luke 2:35) and now felt that sword as she watched her baby boy who had performed remarkable miracles -- blind eyes and deaf ears opening, walking on water....AND now being rejected, despised, beaten and murdered FOR US. I'll admit from the beginning to the ending of the song, I had chill bumps.

Now I really get it. This song brings Mary right to where we are. It helps us to know she was one of us. She was a woman with real emotions, real challenges, and real love for her baby boy. In 1984 Mark Lowery wrote the lyrics to, “Mary Did You Know?” in response to his Pastor’s request to write the script for their church's Christmas production. Not until twelve years later, did Buddy Greene put the script to music. When Mark was asked to write the script, little did he realize what that little "seed" would bring about in an abundant harvest. That script was one of those Jeremiah 29:11 moments “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Mark had no idea of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was on him for that significant moment in time.

"Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs for so many reasons. It momentarily shows Mary more than the lovely woman in blue and white clothing, radiant face, and a halo affixed perfectly above her head. She really was one of us. Like us, she held her baby, she cared for him, she thought about his future -- just like we do for our children.

And, what do you think? DID MARY KNOW -- that He was her Creator, that He would walk on water, that He would heal the blind man, that He would raise the dead? Did she know that when she kissed her little baby boy that she was kissing the face of God?

We'll ask her that question one day, but one thing's for sure, she was the vessel God chose to bear His Son, and I believe she was chosen because He knew she would be the role model, the caregiver, the teacher/trainer, the spiritual director, and the guardian that enabled her son to “grow in wisdom and stature with God and man" (Luke 2:52). I believe she recognized that her boy's talents and abilities would "take Him places" and that He would do great and mighty things, because she was "tight with God" and she held His promises close to her heart.

The question for us is "Do we believe as Mary did?" What God's Word says about Jesus is true. And her example for being that role model, caregiver, teacher/trainer, spiritual director and guardian, is one we should follow in raising our children and grandchildren to "grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man".

I love this beautiful song, and this amazing rendition by Staci and the choir at Elevate Life Church. I share it as a gift for you to realize that Mary's faith and reality is our faith and reality, too. "This little child that Mary delivered, delivered her and us!"

This video no way compares to the "live" performance. Bring your family and enjoy the entire Christmas production that includes lots of humor, dance, incredible musical performances and special guest performances.

https://www.facebook.com/larrywallace/videos/10154693897240499/