Trusting Him With Everything, Pt.1

“Joseph, I have to tell you something.”  Mary looked down at her hands.  “I know that it will sound crazy, but you need to believe me that this came from God.”

                Joseph sat down across from Mary.  He looked at Mary’s face and realized he had never seen so many emotions at one time.  She looked nervous yet there was a light that seemed to glow from within, making her eyes have a peace.  Mary’s mother, Anna, was sitting next to her with her arms wrapped around her daughter.  Eli, Mary’s father, smiled at Joseph.  “My daughter has some very big news.  We hope that this won’t change any previous agreements.”  Eli patted Mary’s hands.  “Go ahead my dear and tell him.  It is your story to tell.”

                Mary looked up at Joseph.  In front of her was the man promised to be her husband.  Joseph was an answer to many prayers.  He was calm and responsible, yet to loved to laugh and enjoy the fellowship of others.  God was very important to Joseph and he never missed a prayer time or the day to go the synagogue.  He was compassionate with all people and generous with his resources, including tithing even though he was just an apprentice. Mary knew that what she was about to share could change how Joseph felt about her and could chose to break their engagement and walk away forever.

                “Mary, what is it?” Joseph’s face was filled with concern.

                “Joseph,” began Mary. “About a month ago, an angel of the Lord came to me.  At first I was frightened,  He was so big and a bright light shown about him.”

                Joseph interrupted,  “You had an angel visit you?  Like the story of our ancestor Jacob and the stairway?”

                Mary grabbed his hand.  “Yes Joseph.  But it wasn't in a dream.  He was right across from me here in this room, just like you are.  He shared with me some of God’s plan for my life.  God has chosen me to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah.”

                “What?  So that means I am the father?  Are you going to become pregnant immediately after we wed in six months?”  Joseph tried to understand what Mary was saying .

                Eli spoke up.  “ Joseph, you are supposed to be a father to the Messiah child.  However, Mary is already pregnant.

                Joseph turned and looked at Mary.  “Wait a minute.  Mary cannot be pregnant.  I've never even been alone with her.  Are you accusing me of something?”

                Anna said, “No Joseph, no one  is implying you are the reason for Mary’s pregnancy.  The Spirit of the Lord came upon her and she is showing all the signs of pregnancy.  Mary is going to give birth to the Messiah.”

                Joseph looked at Mary.  “Is this true?  You are pregnant?  If I am your betrothed, why didn't God visit me too?  Why would He only send an angel to you?”

                “Joseph, please…you have to understand and believe me.  I don’t know why God has only sent an angel to me.  But it is true.  I have been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.  His name is to be Jesus and He is going to do great things- things we couldn't ask or imagine.  God has done the impossible and allowed me to conceive to allow this miracle.”

                Joseph got up and started walking back and forth across the room.  “This is all too much for me to take in right now.  All of it does sound very important to God, but I’m not sure why I haven’t heard anything from Him.”

                Eli stood up.  “ I know that you are going to need time to pray and seek God in what to do with this matter.  Anna has a cousin, Elizabeth, who is expecting a baby very soon.  She and Mary are going to go help for three months.  When they return, you can share what God has led you to do.”

                Joseph turned and looked at Mary’s face.  She had tears forming in her eyes.  “Yes, Eli, I believe that would be best.”  He quietly left the house.

                Anna wrapped Mary in a hug.  The tears were now streaming down her face.  Mary’s heart weighed heavily in her chest. “Oh Mother.  Why would God allow this?  I knew Joseph wouldn't believe me.  Why didn't God wait until after we were married?  Or better yet, why hasn't He spoken to him with another angel?”

                “Mary, I don’t know.  Perhaps God is doing this to draw him closer.  Please don’t doubt God’s timing.  God has a purpose in all of this.  You have to trust what God told you.  You are having Jesus, His Son.  Now whether or not Joseph is the child’s earthly father remains to be seen.  We have to give him time to hear from God.”

“I shouldn't have told him now.  We should have just moved the wedding ceremony to sooner.  I could have told him after it was all over.”

Anna stroked her daughter’s hair. “Mary, you know we couldn't move the ceremony.  We have to go and help Elizabeth.  She has never had a child before and she needs my help.  Plus, it will be good experience for you to see what is ahead of you in the coming months. And, you did tell me that you felt like God wanted you to tell Joseph now.  Don’t doubt it.  We are just going to have to wait on Joseph to see where God leads his heart.”

“But what if he breaks the engagement?  Mother, I almost wish that is what he would have said tonight.  I can’t stand hoping that he’ll believe me and then end up a complete outcast.  Not a fit way for the Messiah to be born- as a social outcast.”

“Trust Mary.  Trust God that He will lead Joseph to the right answer.  You are doing what God has placed in your hands before you.  Now get some rest.  We have a long journey to Elisabeth’s tomorrow.”