Friday morning I was at my mother's helping her prepare for a party she was hosting that evening. Taking a break, I got on the computer to show her the video we took the night before of the kids' first bath together (due to content, it won't be posted, sorry). We had been talking about the ways God had been encouraging her during this trying time (Dad lost his job in early October and the paychecks stop at the end of January). I pulled up the blog to share with her the scripture I posted several days ago (Psalm 139) that has become such a safe place for me over the last few years. God decided to stop us and commune with us right then as "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" started playing. We simply listened, and shed a few tears. Then "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" followed. We continued singing, worshipping our amazing Father and giver of all good things. It was an amazing moment to share with my mother - a woman who taught me about faith and, while not perfect, lives a life that trusts God even when it seems insane to do so. That was the best "church" experience I've had in a while - it was pure, simple, and solely about Him. It was a wonderful moment during this busy season that so often pushes Christ to the shadows.

This morning as we looked at several players in the Christmas story, I was most struck by Luke 1:45 when Elizabeth says to Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" What amazing faith Mary had not only to believe what the Lord had said, but to simply accept it and even welcome it ("I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38). Stop and think about it - she was just a common girl asked to do something amazing - hard, but so amazing. And she believed. So often I fail to believe what God tells me or fail to let go of my plan and accept what He wants for me. This is where my folks are right now - not their plan, but His. I'm sure this wasn't quite in Mary's plan, but she believed God knew best. If only I lived every moment of my life with that same conviction.