Reflections

This morning I was doing my quiet time. It was on Mary and Joseph-when God sent an angel to speak to them separately about Jesus' birth. They both had a decision to make- Do I follow God's lead or not? This really hit home with me this morning. I want to be obedient like Mary & Joseph. God didn't NEED them to complete his plan but WANTED them. I know God doesn't need me but wants me to follow his lead & be a part of what he has planned for me, my family, and the child we hope to adopt. This journey has already begun to change my heart. I know God wants to refine me. I fail miserably everyday but God still loves me and wants to do something through me. I am sure Mary & Joseph were not perfect everyday, but God still used them along with many others in the bible. I already see changes in Grace & Gabrielle as we talk about what bringing another child into our family means & looks like. This week we helped at Room At The Inn as a family. The girls wanted to serve & even asked when we could do it again. The thing I want most for them is to see others like God sees them. I wonder what kind of parents Mary & Joseph had-- Do you think they saw their parents striving to follow God? Do you think they saw them make mistakes but try to do Gods's plan? Do you think they saw God as a friend that only wanted the best for them? Makes me wonder!

(Matthew 1:18-25 NASB) "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus."