It's 109°F outside, but merry Christmas anyway!

I looked into his bedroom the other day, expecting I would have to reprimand him for whatever questionable Netflix movie he was watching this time. But instead, one glance at the screen showed me that he was glued to a scene with characters from Bible times. This intrigued me, so I went in and sat on the bed beside him. He told me it was a movie about Mary.

I immediately recognized the scene from Luke 1. I watched as Mary arrived at the house of Zacharias. I watched her greet her hostess, and I saw how the baby in Elizabeth's barren womb leapt for joy at Mary's presence (really, His presence). I saw Elizabeth be filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to prophecy about the virgin birth. I watched as Joseph stood by Mary's side during a time when unwed pregnant women were subject to being stoned to death.

I watched the birth of John the Baptist, and I saw elderly Zacharias's tears of joy and heard his prayers of thanks once his speech was restored. I saw Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and reaching the inn just in time for her to give birth. I saw how they were reduced to taking shelter in a barn since there was no room in the inn. I saw the Lord Jesus being born among the animals, and I saw how the shepherds came to worship Him there.

I watched it all, and I cried. Actually, I bawled so much I almost got a headache. The miracle of it all still amazes me, and I'm thankful for the things it brought to mind. I was in need of a reminder ....

... of how desperately I want the same kind of faith Mary had. Of how I want to hear from God the way she did. Of how brave I want to be, even when life is scary.  I remembered how important it is to keep my eyes open to the miracles happening around me, and how thankful I am to be His maidservant, His chosen one. And most of all, I remembered how much I long to please Him.

Lord, please make me a Mary.

#51 - #75

51. old barns
52. shepherds
53. mangers

54. Oak trees
55. pancakes with way too much syrup
56. my Kindle

57. two more days of summer

58. my thriving little white crape myrtle tree

59. school supply shopping is DONE (for the most part)

60. e-books

61. lunch with hilarious friends at Mexican Inn

62. the end of a summer cold

63. friends who know how to fix cars

64. it was his own idea to get a haircut this time

65. the grass is dead, but at least it's not growing!

66. I still have a job

67. he took out the trash without being asked

68. she makes wonderful pancakes

69. time to read

70. time to write

71. the ease of school clothes shopping thanks to standardized dress

72. the neighborhood is finally almost full of homes

73. yummy candles

74. strawberries

75. weeping for joy over the miracle of Christmas, even in the summertime. Amen.