“But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
It would’ve been easy for Mary to cower in fear as she nurtured baby Jesus - he was in danger from day one when Herod learned of his birth and desired to rid the earth of him. His death had been prophesied about centuries prior, and the future held many unknowns for Mary and Joseph as they welcomed Jesus into the world.
And yet in the midst of recovery and uncertainty and worshippers, we find this verse cradled in Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.” We find Mary pondering the present moment - the visitors, the silence of her sleeping newborn, his gaze and growing body, his miraculous presence. She received the gift of time - trusting God enough to savor the moments she was given with Jesus.
In treasuring her time, Mary treasured God himself - His gifts, His goodness, the wonder of it all. Mary beheld the face of her baby boy and her season of motherhood, and in doing so she beheld the face of God.
I'm often so tempted to rush through life, always looking to the next big thing rather than receiving the present moment: the time that God is gifting me with Him and those around me. Often I find myself scrolling instead of beholding - spending time on screens instead of abiding in Jesus. I find myself worrying and hurrying instead of resting in God and enjoying my children. I find myself trying to force the memories instead of treasuring what is already happening: the abundance God is handing me as I resist and refuse.
In this world of hustle, we can take back our time through treasuring - storing up moments like fireflies in a jar. Through treasuring, simple moments become sacred. We discover God’s beauty in our children’s faces, their eyes aglow with wonder at the world around them. We sense His presence even in the midst of the mundane and the daily duties. And our eyes grow wide in wonder, too, as we press into the present moment and His presence. We exchange comparison and regret for remembrance and awe.
May Jesus turn our eyes towards heaven this Christmas and help us to pause and ponder all that He is and all that He has given. And as we treasure Jesus, may there be a trickle down effect that allows us to treasure all else that is good and beautiful - the miracle of motherhood and life itself.
Ask yourself: How are you receiving the time God has given you? When you have time to fill, what is your go-to distraction?
What is something you want to treasure and remember about your current season of motherhood?
Action step: Sometime between now and the New Year, turn off your phone for 24 hours to practice treasuring your time! (I'm already trying to think of excuses to keep my phone on and around...but I know it will be worth it to unplug!)
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