Trust.

I don't know about you, but trust is not something I enjoy doing. In fact, it is incredibly hard for me to do, especially given my childhood. Each year, I chose a word that the Lord wants me to work on and in 2024, my word was, surrender. Little did I know all that God would have me surrendering this year. 2024 has been a year built on TRUST. I took the ultimate leap of faith and left my career as a teacher. I had no idea how we were going to make it work financially. How was I going to give up something that I loved so much? Because my daughter and the plan that God has for her means more to me than me own wants and needs. God was telling me that homeschool was going to be our plan. God said that my plan wasn't good enough. That I needed to listen to him and to TRUST him.

Today was day 5 on my Advent study and it brought me to Luke 1:26–38. Where the angel, Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her that she will be with child, and that she has been chosen by God to carry his son.

Imagine someone coming to you, telling you something that was impossible (she was a virgin) was going to happen, and it would completely change your life, possibly having your fiancé leave you and you would be disowned by your family. The questions and comments of disbelief and disregard that I would have.

But Mary was different. Her response to the angel was, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." Wow.

I had to take a pause while reading that. She did not doubt, or question, or comment other than to say "ok Lord, I am your humble servant." She did not know God's plan, she just said ok.

My role as a wife and a mom are to lead my family to Christ. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. Not to doubt God's plan. To be like Mary and say ok Lord, I am your humble servant. I have learned over the years that God is always in the details. He shows up in ways that could only be him.

He went to Mary because of her poor social status, her pureness as a virgin, and it showed that it could only be Him. What details is he working out in my favor right now that I don't see yet?

This week I encourage you to just say "ok Lord." Don't question, argue or feel discouraged (I know! easier said than done!). Look forward to the blessing that God will have for you as you give up that control. God's plan is going to happen anyway, you might as well let go and let God in the meantime.