The Example of Mary

This week in my New Testament class, we learned about the birth of Christ. I can't help but admire the strength and example that Mary, the mother of Jesus provides. When the angel appeared to her and told of the things that were to come, He assured her, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Mary responded with the strength and faith of a stalwart young woman, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:37-38). She is such an incredible example of obedience and a willingness to do the will of the Father, despite what anyone else thought. She was willing to be the mother of the Savior even though her very life was on the line, for in those days women who conceived out of wedlock were often stoned to death. She would be rejected by everyone she knew and even ran the risk of being rejected by the man she was betrothed to, fortunately Joseph was equally as strong and prepared to do the will of the Lord. In spite of all the risks Mary would take, she sought vertical validation, the approval of the Father instead of horizontal validation, the approval of the world. Mary is the perfect example of the divinity of womanhood. She was meek, gentle, strong, submissive, humble, kind, diligent and prepared. She didn’t run from her responsibilities, she accepted them and did the very best that she could. She was given the task to raise the Son of God. How stressful would that be? Yet, Mary had been prepared for this time and had the Father’s complete trust for this task. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more women could strive to be like Mary? It saddens me that women nowadays feel like they have to have more masculine qualities, when womanhood and motherhood is such a divine role and responsibility. 

I am so grateful for Mary and her example of what godly and divine motherhood and womanhood should be.