The Word Guild WinnerThis post: Celebrating The Women Of The Christmas Story – The Teenager Post was Shortlisted for The2017 Word Awards in the Category of Article-Inspirational/Devotional and WON!!!!!

WIN THE WORD AWARDS

It was also featured on the #GraceandTruth #Linkup by Aimee Imbeau

I hope that one day, this will be what inspired the book!

Christmas WomenSee the Introduction for this series in the #SoulH2O post Celebrating the Women of The Christmas Story and the devotion on the first Christmas Woman, THE MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN – ELIZABETH discussing how she protected the promise of God.  The series is talking about how each of the #ChristmasWomen were:

CARRIERS – OF THE PROMISE & PRESENCE OF GOD

Read on to learn about today’s Christmas Woman…

THE TEENAGER – MARY

Christmas Women - The Teenager

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her..”
Luke 1:38  ESV

For most of my life, I’ve had a skinny, scrawny type of frame.  My ankles and wrists are not much bigger than a small child’s, but that all changed when I was pregnant.

pregnant picThis picture was taken the night I went into labour with my son Brandon.  I’m not sure if my hair or pregnancy belly is larger???  I will say there was a shadow behind me from that cheap camera I owned.

Being truthful, I don’t think there was anything left small on me at that point.  My feet had swelled, my lips felt blown up, my face was puffy…nothing was comfortable anymore.  Sleep seemed unattainable.

Trying to find a comfortable position with a yoga ball attached to my tummy was impossible.  How I gained over 50 pounds for a baby who was just 9 pounds 9 ounces doesn’t make sense (if it weren’t for all those bacon-cheese hotdog cravings I fulfilled).

I can attest to the fact that carrying a baby was inconvenient, uncomfortable, stretching, tiring, and yet…the most wonderful time of my life!

MARY – The Pregnant Teenager

I imagine it was similar, but a whole lot more inconvenient for Mary. Teen pregnancies aren’t often easy.  There’s a certain stigma High School aged girls face when they announce they’re pregnant.  I doubt Mary had it in her school planner to get pregnant, especially by someone other than her fiancé.

How do you explain it to your family and friends that ‘you’re not pregnant because you’ve done something you shouldn’t’, it was because you allowed the God who created the universe to use your womb?

Nothing about Mary’s pregnancy was convenient, comfortable or easy; yet this teenager accepted God’s plan for her life with the words,

“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

No, but God don’t you know how hard that is…don’t you know what that will cost me…don’t you know what people will say…don’t you know what Joseph will say…he may leave???

Mary was carrying the promise and the very presence of God – Emmanuel, God with us inside her womb and it cost her. 

Carrying the promise and presence of God isn’t convenient, easy, or comfortable, but it will be the most incredible adventure of your life; if you yield to God’s will, done God’s way.

It’s impossible to carry a baby without getting stretch marks but oh, it’s so worth the scars.  Be like Mary; willing to be inconvenienced so you can carry within your heart the promise and the presence of God, so that through you the world will see Emmanuel, God is with us!

Prayer

Father…I’m overwhelmed at the thought that YOU want ME to carry Your promises and Your presence to the world.  I don’t feel worthy and I’m afraid of the cost.  I’m sorry for trying to take the easy-way-out. I open my heart and my life to You.  I’m willing like Mary to carry Your promises and Your presence, so the world may know YOU, no matter the cost.  In Jesus Name…Amen

I’m willing to be inconvenienced to carry the promise and the presence of God to this world! 

Drawing from the well

You can find the full story of Mary’s involvement in Jesus’ birth Within these portions of Scripture:

Luke 1:26-38               An Angel Meets Mary, Jesus Birth Foretold
Luke 1:39-56               Mary Visits Elizabeth
Matthew 1:18-25          Angel visits Joseph
Matthew 1:27          Emmanuel:  God With Us  (Prophesied in Isaiah 7:14)
Luke 2:2-6                   Mary gives birth to JESUS:  The Promise & Presence of God

Soul H2O Radio & Podcast Christmas Series

Christmas Women - Peggy Sue Wells Soul H2O Radio Podcast

During the Christmas season, were running The Brave Christmas & Christian Women Series.  Episode 49 is Part2 of The Brave Teen Mom & Brave Single Moms. In This Series, were Celebrating The Women of The Christmas Story and a few of their contemporary counterparts. PeggySue Wells is an author and speaker who hosts an online ministry for Single Moms at SingleMomCircle.com

GET READY FOR NEXT WEEK’S #SoulH2O Devotion in the Series THE SENIOR CITIZEN

WANT WEEKLY REFRESHING?

Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

This devotion was originally posted on December 12, 2016.

Sherry Stahl