Mary's Ponderings Have Implications For Me Too

Luke 2:15-20 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Mary was a ponderer. A student of people. She does not seem to be a reactor. She’s a thinker. (Luke 1:29, Luke 2:19, 51) From reading these verses, I take it that she thinks before she speaks. She often keeps her thoughts to herself, like they are treasures, meant just for her. She considers the situation at hand – from learning that she would be pregnant with God’s Son, to shepherds and wise men visiting her child, to her son being left behind at the Temple – and speaks and acts after pondering. She doesn’t just spout off and get in a huff. She takes in the facts, keeps her emotions under control and asks for clearer understanding when it’s needed. (Luke 1:34) I didn’t find in my searching that Mary was specifically in prayer in each situation, but this woman was obviously walking with her Lord (in more than one way, I guess), so I can imagine that part of her ponderings were prayerful meditations, seeking guidance and comfort throughout her life.

I think this is a great way to approach many situations in life. Take in the facts. Keep your emotions under control. Ask for more information if needed. For instance: I am a busy, homeschooling mom of five all 8 and under. My house is loud. I struggled to find a time when my house was quiet and when I wasn’t tired to sit and think about what I wanted to share with you today. I certainly considered taking the easy way out and finding a devotional online that I could use. No one would have been the wiser. Instead, I choose to not give in to my fear, my anxiety and my exhaustion. I got my emotions under control. Everyone went down for a nap, or out on errands. I put on some Christmas music, and got some in put from a friend about the direction I was taking. Not long into my sitting and thinking, I felt my stress level rising as my thoughts still were not coming together and the baby woke and the older kids were unsettling. I stopped, laid my head on my desk and asked for direction and instruction. No, the baby didn’t go back to sleep right away, but there was a peace that she was going to be okay until I finished up.

These three things – facts, emotions and information – are crucial in emergency situations as well. When Jason’s out at an accident or a fire, he can’t act on emotion; he needs to know the facts and gather information by paying attention to what’s happening around him and by asking for clarification from those in charge.

I understand that we are not all ponderers. We don’t all sit and think. We don’t all watch the people around us. God made us different to add spice and variety to His World, but I think that at times we could all benefit from thinking before we speak, pondering our situation before we act, getting our emotions controlled and the facts right. Take time to ponder, as Mary did, the situation you are in this Christmas season, be it seemingly good or seemingly bad. I bet that by thinking on and praying about it a little, you’ll feel a little more settled, a little more peace. I know I did.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,