What the Lord Has Done

Y’all, I’ve read the Christmas story in Luke 1 many, many times over the years. But it is always so sweet how the Holy Spirit points out something new, just in the season of life when I need it. As I read this week, two sentences stuck out to me. One from Elizabeth, and one from Mary, because they said the same thing when they found out they would have a child.

In Luke 1:25, Elizabeth says, "The Lord has done this for me." 

In Luke 1:49, Mary says, "...the Mighty One has done great things for me." 

My first thought was, “Wow, how wonderful that they both gave credit to the Lord for His goodness in giving them a child.” So often I feel like we skip the step of truly recognizing all the wonderful things the Lord does for us, moving right into celebrating for ourselves. But then, as I thought about my own journey as a mother, I began to wonder if they always felt that way in the days and months and years to come.

Because the Lord didn’t just give them a baby. He gave them each a child. To feed and change and discipline and teach and raise and protect and love…and eventually grieve for, when hard things came. And hard things would come. Just as they do for us.

I don’t know about you, but in my almost seventeen years as a mother, I have found that not much in this job is very easy. I am an imperfect person raising imperfect people. And while there are absolutely moments that mirror the excitement of that first birth announcement, there are probably more moments of real, daily struggles in raising them to be responsible, clean, kind, Jesus-loving adults. So I began to look back and reflect on all the little moments I could think of, and list, what has the Lord really done? He has:

• Sustained me: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” Ps.55:22
• Given me strength: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps.73:26
• Provided for my needs: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:19
• Given me peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
• Given me wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
• Given me hope: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
• Helped me: “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you” Is. 41:13
• Comforted me: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Cor.1:4
• Held me together: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Col.1:17

And y’all, most of all, He has given me opportunities to know Him more. Because of my precious babies, who are no longer babies, I know what it’s like to be brought to my knees in prayer. I know what it’s like to cry out to God, asking Him to help, because I know that I cannot make it on my own. I know what it’s like to turn my eyes on Jesus, setting my eyes on things above, and not on earthly things. I know Jesus, my personal Savior, more deeply than I might have, without them. And though all of these moments may not have felt like times to celebrate, they have been some of the greatest gifts of all.

The Lord has done great things. And that is why those two miraculous babies came, all those many years ago. John, to prepare the way. And Jesus, to be The Way. The Lord didn’t just do great things for Elizabeth and Mary, y’all. He did them for all of us as well.

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Merry Christmas,