What happens next? Tracy Williamson

How did it feel for Mary and Joseph as they began their long journey into parenthood?  Up until now their entire focus had been on getting themselves safely to Bethlehem and finding accommodation.  

Such a whirlwind of emotion those last months, from incredulity, awe, confusion, sadness,and deep anxiety, to love, worship, joy and inner peace.

They had done it!  They'd heard God's call and believed.  They'd given everything to see that call fulfilled, whatever the cost, whatever people believed.

And here it was, their precious son, Jesus.

Yes they'd had nowhere to go and that was hard, but they'd persevered trusting God for who else could they entrust with this secret so huge?

That moment of sublime ecstasy, agony and joy as Jesus was born and they gazed upon their son.

And the Shepherds came

And the animals watched

And they knew profound relief.

But what about the next day, and the next. and next? 

As the adrenaline subsided now the massive milestone of his birth had been reached

What did they feel and how did they plan?

Maybe you feel similarly in your life?

Have you really been pushing yourself this year to reach your needed goal?

That sense of joy and wonder as you achieve what had seemed impossible?

I know that feeling

I am in my 'day after' right now.

Maybe you are too?

What door was God going to open for Mary and Joseph now that Jesus was born?  They would never have imagined their path would take them direct to Egypt!

But God knew what He was doing and knows with you and me too.

Mary and Joseph needed that time to get to know their new son, to process, and see God there in their midst. To draw aside, to face what they had lost and yield it to Him.  To discover their immeasurable gain and to celebrate with Him and each other.

I need that time too and so maybe do you?

Time to discover just what it is I've brought into birth, to enjoy it and discover its depths.

Mary had to learn to treasure the many ways God was preparing them to know they'd truly birthed His Son.  To whisper \His words of peace and guidance into their hearts, to still their anxious thoughts.

He wants to bless you and help you to know that too.  He is with you, your wonderful Friend

Treasure what He's enabled you to bring to birth in your writing and in your heart.

Be still and let His plans unfold.

They may be unexpected.

They may seem impossible

But they will be vital

And they will be you.

Walk the path ahead with joy for He will surely lead you into the new

At just the right time.

Let Him work out the detail

Enjoy and be at rest.

Tracy Williamson is an Author and Speaker working together with Marilyn Baker for MBM Trust.  Tracy has just completed the memoir of her and Marilyn's lives and ministry together, A Beautiful Tapestry was published in Nov 20.