Mar 25 - "This Woman's Work"

Collect of the Day: The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Virgin Mary
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
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Today is the celebration of Mary being visited by an angel, giving her the news that she was to bear the Son of God. (only 9 months until Christmas...start shopping now!)

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Mary? A young girl, likely not even 20 years old at the time, being told that she would carry this Gift, this Precious Child. She would be responsible for raising Him and caring for Him. As if the news of being with child is not challenge enough for any woman, but to have the Son of God in your womb. Wow...that's some pressure!

There are times in our lives when we receive really big news, good and bad. What often measures us is how we respond to that news. How does Mary respond? Well, here is when we see the strength of a woman, when put in a tough situation. She says, beginning in Luke, chapter 1, verse 46:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."

Now that is grace under pressure. She does not run away or ask that someone else be chosen. She must have known how hard things were going to be, explaining to her family and her soon-to-be husband Joseph, what she had been asked to do. Mary glorifies God and gives thanks for the gift she has been given, relishing in the great responsibility which has been thrust upon her.

In comparison, what do some of the more famous men of the bible do when called by the Lord or similarly challenged? Moses asks God to pick someone else; Jonah takes a boat in the opposite direction of where God told him to go; Zechariah discounts God's power to make him a Father; Joseph initially wants to ditch Mary; Peter denies knowing Christ three times. We men are such goofballs, most of the time. We strut around thinking we are "all that". But when the rubber hits the road, we sometimes fall short and it is a woman who brings us around and points us in the right direction.

Some of you faithful readers who are men and are reading this may say, "Wait a minute, I work hard...I do good things...I help with things!" All of this is true. But, guys, if we are being honest with ourselves, we know that the reason many of us are as "successful" in life as we are, is because at least one woman has or had a hand in it. Was it your Mom or Grandma? Maybe a teacher or a good friend? Your wife? Certainly, my wife Greta makes me a better man every day. My daughters inspire me to be more than I would be if they were not in my life.

So, today, celebrate the glory of all that is being a woman! Gives thanks for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters...all women. Women, spend today rejoicing in the essence of being a woman. Men, tell a woman today how much you value the gifts she brings to your life. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grace you have given to the world in the gift of women. Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for making women distinct and special in a way that glorifies your wisdom and power.