The sun is just beginning to rise over the hills surrounding us as I travel back home to Nazareth. What a glorious picture You’ve painted for me. The orange and red glow seems to melt away the chill and darkness from the night. Adonai, please work that same miracle within my own heart and mind. Chase away the shadows that cause me any sorrow or concern as I ponder all that has happened recently. 

Spending the last few months with Elizabeth and Zechariah has taught me much. I was deeply moved watching Zechariah long to be a father. He found such wisdom as he began leaning into You, Adonai, learning how to be the man sweet John will need. He silently pointed out to me so many passages from Your Word that foretold this story of which we are now a part. I continue to meditate on the words of Jeremiah, Your prophet. “Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: The Lord, our justice.” (Jer. 23:5-6)

I have kept this all close to my heart for the last few months. A secret only known to a select few, but I have to now consider how to tell Joseph. What will he think? What will he say or do and how much do I tell him? Will he be able to believe this amazing news? Help me to know when to speak and when to be quiet. I know this will come as quite a shock. Joseph is a righteous man. Do I now tell him that he will be a father to Your son? I can barely wrap my own mind around it, even though I feel the miracle growing within me.
 
Zechariah assured me that You, Lord are in charge of this all and that You will help Joseph understand somehow. You will make sure this plan is fulfilled. I believe that Joseph and I are to bring this Messiah into our world and that we have both been chosen by You. But, I also understand, Adonai, that Joseph’s journey is his. I feel the Spirit moving my heart. I hear You. You want me to wait and trust You. You want me to let Joseph wrestle, if need be and come to You for wisdom. As hard as it will be to not speak, I will allow You to show him Your plan here. Adonai, I will trust You completely and I will pray for Joseph. Be it done unto all of us according to Your word. 

Reflection Questions: Have you ever watched someone you love wrestle with God? Did you want to step in and “fix” it, explaining the truth they seem to be missing? How does it feel to know that God has a plan and yet wait for your loved one to see it for themselves? Sometimes God needs us to speak and sometimes He needs us to be quiet and pray. Learning this lesson of timing means calling on the Holy Spirit to be present and then trusting His promptings for silence or speech. 

Prayer: Father, you know that there are people I love that seem to wrestle with You or have even put You out of their lives completely. You know my heart for them and how I want to bring them back. Help me to remember that You are their savior, not me. Help me to wait on Your prompting to know if there are words I need to speak and then let my words be Yours. And, if I am to be silent, give me understanding, because that is when I should be speaking to You. Amen.