Scripture: Matthew 6:34
I wonder if Mary worried? Luke 2:19 states: “But, Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
In her circumstances, Mary had much to ponder, but did the light and hope of the angels counter her worries?
Despite the light and hope of Advent, I’m a worrier. In fact, my
middle name should be worry. I’m fairly certain I inherited my mother’s worry gene.
I’m convinced she worried because she loved. She wanted life to
be worry-free for those whom she loved.
Growing up, I contributed to the weary lines of worry on her pretty face. I was a horrible high school student. No question she and God did a lot of pondering in their hearts nudging me
through high school and into college.
In my Bible, I keep an old church bulletin. I highlighted the following words from the opening prayer: “In your strength, enable us to drop our burdens and set aside our anxiety about life.”
I read those words every morning. Some days, I’m able to set aside my worries.
During Advent, my worries shift to family, health, travel, and I work to avoid being consumed by the seasonal commercial pursuit of perfection.
I might not ever conquer my worrying, but I can improve something my mother and Mary had in common—an unyielding faith and trust in God.
Prayer: Father of us all, in this season of Advent, help us to cast aside our worries, and trust in you. Amen.
Bill Pike | Richmond, VA
Author’s note: Thanks to Chesley Vohden from the Society of St. Andrew for allowing me to contribute this piece to their annual Advent devotional book. It is the devotional for today, Monday, December 11, 2023.
might be baloney 