...she kept them in her heart

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord...and all who heard it were amazed at what the sheperds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." -Luke 2:10, 18-19

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart..."

This woman, young girl was chosen by God to give birth to the Savior of the people. Did she run shouting it to the world, with joy and exuberance? No. Would she have been boastful if she had? Humbly, I say I don't think so. Was that what the Lord wanted? My humble opinion, might be no. Mary chose to treasure it in her heart.

The angel, Gabriel spoke to Mary saying, "So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) She then got ready and hurried to her relative, Elizabeth's home. But she did not tell Elizabeth, for when she arrived, "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit...and exclaimed 'Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?' " (Luke 1:39-43)

An angel spoke to Joseph, her husband. On his plans to divorce Mary quietly, for she was now pregnant before they had been united, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to "...not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21)

How gracious and amazing our Lord is. He blessed Mary first and foremost with the honor of giving birth to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, but He also put peace into her husband's heart and blessed Mary with the gift of being able to rejoice with Elizabeth. She treasured this amazing gift the Lord had shared with her, choosing to keep it in her heart but also having the gift of being able to rejoice with those closest to her, whom the Lord had desired to share with.

These verses mean so much to me, as Mary chose to keep this beautiful amazing gift of Salvation treasured in her heart, when she knew the greatness of this gift and of what was to come. However, I believe she knew it was not for her to "shout out", if you will, for the Lord had a plan, purpose and timing for all of it. Her words may have changed some hearts or the timing of events.

My sweet friend and I had this conversation yesterday; there is a time to speak and a time not to. The Lord speaks or places something upon our heart's and we must pray for His discernment to know what He desires for us to do with it.

Just today, I caused hurt feelings because I spoke too soon. I feel like the Lord has placed something upon my heart, and woowee I am excited! However, I've spoken too soon (out of my own excitement and not of the Holy Spirit's guidance) and have turned something that is meant for good, into something that has some bad feelings attached to it. Ugh.

So, with much remorse and prayers of forgiveness and confession to my Lord, I pray He will take my sinful self and cover me with His grace. I pray He will use this to His glory, and graciously bless this dear person who's feelings I caused to be hurt. I pray to be His humble servant, waiting on Him patiently, knowing His plans are so much greater than my own, knowing He is working in the hearts of not just mine (ugh again, with prideful thoughts), praying He will right my wrong and knowing the Great and Mighty Lord is in charge!
I just need to listen....

Praying you are hearing the Lord's voice and knowing His timing, and knowing His grace and forgiveness is infinite-Praise Him! Amen!