“Yes.” Such a simple, three-letter word. I heard it in my heart before I said it out loud. “Yes.” A short little word that will change the future forever. Am I sure? Yes. Am I scared? Yes. Will my future be challenging? Yes. Will this bring me and my loved ones pain? Yes. Am I making the right decision? Yes. Will I be putting my safety and reputation at risk? Yes. Will I be welcoming new life? Yes. Do I have unanswered questions? Yes. Am I willing to trust God’s decision and follow His path for my life? Yes.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Luke 1:30-37 The New American Bible Revised Edition
Am I overwhelmed with information? Yes. Will I put my fear aside and make the long journey to see Elizabeth? Yes. Do I have my final answer for the Angel? Yes.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38 NAB Revised Edition
Candle of the Week: Purple-Hope
Mary did not have all the answers of what her life was going to look like when she said yes to God. But one thing she did have was hope. She was literally carrying hope with her everywhere she went, by carrying the Savior of the world in her belly. Besides the joy she must have felt, she must have also been filled with hope for the future of the world.
Reflection
Mary was a young girl with a big decision to make. She could have asked for more time to process the information, decided that she didn’t want to become the Mother of God, or gave a more complicated answer. But she said “yes” to God’s plan. Such a simple response that brought about great love not just for her but for the whole world.
Sometimes our actions don’t have to be big gestures to create a ripple affect. Sometimes a simple, yes, from a place of love is what God is asking of us. “Mama can I have more milk? Yes. Mama can you help me get my shoes on? Yes. Mama can you read me a book? Yes. Mama can you tuck me in? Yes. Each one of those tasks are small; (Though in all honesty, I don’t always have enough patience to lovingly answer yes to them). But to my kids, they mean the world and they show them that I love them. And they’ll hopefully see them and when given the chance to spread that love, they’ll take it.
I had big plans for Advent a few weeks ago. I got devotionals. I wanted a fresh start to the liturgical year. But we’re not even a week in and I have fallen behind. Instead of worrying about it, I am trying to focus on the smaller things I can accomplish. Writing this weekly devotional is more doable in my current situation. I started focusing on learning about the Jesse tree with my kids. I decided that getting out the big Christmas tree was going to be too difficult this year, and opted for a smaller one instead. The kids still love the decorations even though they aren’t as big. God is still calling me to grow with him this Advent, in the small. every day moments.
What is God calling you to say “yes” to this Advent?
Ending Prayer
Mother Mary, help us to say “yes” to your Son and trust in His plan for us, no matter how big or small. Guide us to your Son in the small moments of everyday sacrifice. Help us to make all of our “yeses” out of love. Amen.
*Please note- These Advent Series are a creative exercise to try to help put ourselves in the shoes of the biblical characters I am trying to portray.
