Mary

 

When I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, I often picture her as a girl not much older than my youngest granddaughter—just twelve, standing right at the edge of womanhood but still tender, impressionable, and growing. 

 

Scripture doesn’t tell us what Mary was doing when the angel Gabriel appeared, but I imagine her in her parents’ home, helping with simple chores: sweeping a clay floor, dusting pottery jars, or preparing a meal alongside her mother. In those days, young girls were expected to participate in the daily rhythms of household life just as my own granddaughter does today. Perhaps Mary was doing something perfectly ordinary when heaven stepped into her day.

 

But the Bible leaves her activity a mystery. She may have been writing on a wax tablet or quietly resting after a morning’s work. What is certain is this: when Gabriel appeared, Mary was startled—but she didn’t flee, scream, or cower. She didn’t react the way many twelve-year-olds today might react—like my granddaughter surely would, who might let out a shriek, drop the broom, and race toward her mother’s arms. Instead, Mary paused. She listened. She absorbed the angel’s greeting:“Greetings, Mary. The Lord is with you. You are highly favored.”

 

And then came the message that would change history. Gabriel told her she would conceive and give birth to a Son—One who would be called the Son of the Most High. It is no wonder Mary asked, in innocent confusion, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel answered her with a holy mystery:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

— Luke 1:35

 

That word overshadow comes from the Greek episkiazo, a word associated with the shekinah glory of God Himself—the same glory that hovered over the waters of creation and filled the tabernacle. Imagine being twelve and hearing that God’s own presence would cover you. Imagine trying to understand something no one in human history had ever experienced.

 

And yet—Mary believed.

 

She trusted.

 

Her heart bowed long before her knees did.

 

I imagine her later, sitting quietly in a corner of her room, replaying the angel’s words. Wondering what she would tell her parents… what Joseph would think… whether anyone would believe her. A virgin birth had never occurred before—and would never occur again. But Mary’s faith was stronger than her fear. She knew the God who spoke through His messenger could be trusted.

 

I look at my granddaughter and imagine her hearing such news. How would she respond? Would she tremble? Would she hide? Would she run to her mama? The comparison only deepens my respect for Mary. At such a young age, she displayed a spiritual maturity far beyond her years—an openness to the will of God, even when it came wrapped in mystery and sacrifice.

 

Two people—Zechariah and Mary—received miraculous announcements from Gabriel. Both were promised sons. But their circumstances could not have been more different. Zechariah and Elizabeth, in their old age, would come together and conceive John the Baptist. Mary, untouched by Joseph, would be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and conceive the Savior of the world. Two miracles—one natural, one supernatural—both declaring the same truth:

 

Nothing is impossible with God.

 

Mary’s story invites us to trust the Lord even when we don’t understand His plans. She reminds us that God often steps into the everyday moments of our lives—into our sweeping, our cooking, our resting—and calls us to something bigger than we imagined. She reminds us that faith doesn’t depend on age, status, or understanding. It depends on willingness.

 

Like Mary, may we learn to say: “Be it unto me according to Your word.”

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful example of Mary—young, humble, willing, and full of faith. As we reflect on her courage and surrender, help us to cultivate that same trusting spirit in our own hearts. 

 

Teach us to listen for Your voice, even in ordinary moments, and to respond with obedience when You call.

 

Strengthen our faith to believe that nothing is impossible with You. 

 

Guard the hearts of the young ones in our lives, like my granddaughter, and guide them into a deeper understanding of Your love and purpose for them.

 

May we, like Mary, say with confidence, “Be it unto me according to Your word.”

 

In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.