perception...

Luke 1: 46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

this is what mary said when she was pregnant.. unmarried.. and carrying the savior of the world...

now... I don't know about you... but most of us.. myself included.. tend to see what is wrong in a situation rather than what is right.. it is about our perception... we look at what needs fixed rather than what is spectacular...

realistically speaking.. mary's parents surely think she slept with joseph... who she is engaged to... can you imagine your daughter coming to you and telling you an angel told her she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit... come on now.. she is trying to cover up her own lack of fidelity before marriage.. that is just how we think..

joseph.. the husband to be.. KNOWS HE didn't sleep with her.. so obviously.. someone else has.. and he is planning to leave her behind this action.. which most men would... in those days.. they are contractually bound from the time of engagement but not allowed alone together so this type of thing can't happen... yet it has.. so it has got to be another man.. he probably doesn't even ASK her what happened.. instead just accuses her of sleeping with someone... but he doesn't want to shame her so he is going to QUIETLY divorce her.. since when is divorce EVER quiet?? even now...

yet mary praises God.. that He chose her above all the other righteous women in judea.. and she is praising Him and telling Him what an aweseome honor it is...

again.. here would be me.. saying LORD.. how can I do this??? everyone will think I am a whore and say I am crazy... everyone will hate me.. they will hate my son all of his life.. we will always live in shame.. the man I love no longer wants me.. my parents don't believe in me.. why would you do this to me?? why wouldn't you choose someone else for this??? yea.. I get that it is supposed to be some great honor.. but it surely doesn't feel like one right now.. please get me out of this...

today I say.. Father.. I praise your Holy Name.. I lift you above all the heavens.. I cannot understand why you would choose a lowly servant like me for such an amazing and awesome calling.. Lord I cannot say how much I love and adore you.. there are no words for this honor you have bestowed upon me.. I praise you for your faithfulness to me and all the generations.. your word always holds true.. everything that you promise comes to pass.. you have lifted my name and my face.. you have shown me love far beyond what I deserve or expect.. I honor you Lord above all things..