God of the Unexpected

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.

May everything you have said about me come true.”

Luke 1:37 (NLT)

         My to-do list suffered a major setback. Four days before Christmas and I’m running one son to the doctor because he injured his foot, then find myself driving another one to the tire store because he blew a tire and doesn’t have a spare. Those precious hours I’d planned to use baking cookies, wrapping presents, and cleaning the house were lost in the urgency of my sons’ unexpected needs.

          Most of us experience unexpected setbacks at some time or another. Whether it be our schedule, our health or a loved-one’s health, our finances, relationships, a personal loss, or raising a child with special-needs, they all affect us some way or another.

          Mary knew all about the unexpected; an unexpected visit from an angel, an unexpected and unusual pregnancy, an unexpected confrontation with the man she was engaged to, an unexpected reconciliation, an unexpected census, an unexpected ride to Bethlehem, an unexpected birthplace, unexpected shepherds coming to worship her newborn son, an unexpected visit from Wise Men, unexpected news from an angel that warned them to flee. From the moment Jesus’ coming was announced, her life suffered one surprise after another.

          Yet, through it all, her attitude was one of quiet obedience. Her response to the news that she would become pregnant with the Messiah was one of humble submission to God’s divine plan. I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.

          Oh, that we might have the same attitude when God’s plans capsize our own. May we face those unexpected events that disrupt our lives with quiet acceptance, knowing nothing happens outside of God’s will. May we say, I am the Lord’s servant, even when the road ahead takes an unexpected detour, certain that God’s unexpecteds are always far better than our own feeble plans.