“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Mt 1:16, 18-21
This is what Joseph heard from an angel in his dream after deciding to divorce Mary quietly when he heard that she was with child. When reading this I am struck by Mary’s faith as she simply said yes to God, knowing that she could be divorced or even stoned to death. She did not rush to look at her calendar or to plan things out to make sure that everything would be okay for her. She simply had faith.
There have been times in my life when I am not sure that God is real and there have been times when no one can convince me otherwise. However, there have also been times in which, although I believe that God is real, I lack faith in Him and what he is willing to do for me. I am someone who can plan more than five four-year plans in minutes, trying to get the best version of what my life would look like and making sure that everything is a safezone for me to thrive. However, my plans often…well, don’t go according to plan, no matter how hard I try to force it. This Lent I am learning to let go of my plans and to have the courage to follow God’s.
– Anonymous