“For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37) This line from the Gospel of Luke about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to announce she was to bear a son who would be the Messiah resonates with me since it makes me realize that God has and always has had a plan to save us through his Son from the beginning of time…and that all of the Bible scriptures are tied together to fulfill this event. Other versions are slightly different with the wording, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Which is also a great message for us today.
I still question everything…being a former news reporter (and still one at heart) I tend to investigate, analyze, overthink everything. But sometimes there are no answers for the “why’s” of life…why do we have to suffer, why do we have to learn the hard way, why is there so much sickness and evil in the world…of course the “why’s” can go on forever. I was feeling a true lack of Christmas spirit before this past Sunday in church…frustrated with my writer’s block of late, resentful of having so much work on my plate, anxious about the holidays, and generally restless, irritable and discontent with no spirit of peace or joy.
And then I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and it all changed. I talked about how I was feeling and you know what? I left and as I sat through the Mass I felt grateful for all I have, for my work and each of my book coaching clients, and for family and friends even though I may be with them at this time…and it lifted all of the resentment, frustration and negativity I was feeling and I felt peace and joy and even a renewed sense of freedom to go forward and write my next book. The priest suggested I accept and be grateful for all I have today, and that gratitude and acceptance of God’s will and plan must have paved the way for the Christmas spirit to enter into my heart.
I don’t know what the future holds especially with this scary pandemic we still face all around us. But I do know I have been graced with the tools to face anything…and as a child of God I am promised blessings, favor and eternal life. We all are, just like Mary in Luke’s Gospel. Yet even Mary, when she heard the announcement of her impending pregnancy, questioned the angel: “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” To which Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” When filled with doubt I am reminded I need to have faith and courage like Mary that God has a plan for me and it will all work out…to answer like she did: “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
I am thankful for each and every one of you reading this, for friends and family, for all of those with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work these past years…and I sincerely wish you all a blessed, peaceful, joyful Christmas season and a healthy, happy New Year!
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
