Joy

I have been really reflective today. I have also been filled with peace and joy. God is so good. I love that I can feel His healing.

Today, I have been reflecting on Mary's visit to Elizabeth and Mary's song. These accounts in Luke are particularly touching to me this year and I think it's because of my experience with Samantha Peep. We focused on them yesterday in church and they have just spoken tremendously to me.

From Luke 1: 39-56:

Mary Visits Elizabeth
 ³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song
 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:
   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”
 ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
I read such joy in Mary's song. She is filled with the joy of the Lord and as I read what she proclaims, I find that of course she is filled with such joy! The Lord is good! He is faithful and awesome. He keeps His promises. Why not praise Him? Mary is not afraid because of being an unwed mother or her responsibilities. She is content to praise our Lord. Now, I don't come from a Catholic background and I don't believe that Mary is sinless but in the same way, I have learned from Job, I am learning from Mary how to fear, revere, and rejoice in the Lord.
 
God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!
 
~Shannon