MARY

Today my thoughts go to Mary, Jesus' earthly mother.  

She gave birth to him in a lowly stable, probably a somewhat scared young girl, with very little material goods in her world but a honorable husband and an assurance from an angel that this was God's plan.  I always determined that Mary was a strong woman to be able to have faith and trust The Plan.  Many times I can't even trust The Plan.  

Not a lot is said of Jesus' childhood and we hear nothing of the time between his staying behind in the temple at age 12 and his baptism by John around 28 or something years later.  As a mother, I thought of surely how many times that Mary played with her son, kissed his boo boos, and kissed him good night.  

My thoughts then go to Mary as she looked up at her son, hanging on that cross, battered and torn, taking on all our sins.  

I think still Mary had hope in her heart that she would see her boy again.  I can imagine her joy as on that third day, He arose from the grave, just as He said He would!  

Consider....