The Pondering Heart

“But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” -Matthew 2:19

“And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” -Matthew 2:51

As I continue to read and meditate on the story of Jesus’ birth, I came upon verse 51. I read this chapter a gazillion times. I don’t know how I missed verse 51.

Let me recap this story. At the birth of Jesus, the very night, the shepherds were in the field watching over their flock. Suddenly, there were the Angels in the sky proclaiming the birth of the Savior. They told the Shepherds where they could find the new baby, and how to identify him. He would be in a stable. The Angels left to find the new born child in town. They told Mary what the Angels said about her baby boy. Mary, kept those words in her heart and thought about them, “Often.”

Fast forward to 12 years later. They went to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they were on their way back, they realized Jesus wasn’t with them. They went back to find him. It took three days before they found him with the teachers of the Synagogue. Mary, asked him, “Why have you done this to your father and I. We have been searching for you for three days?” Jesus replied, “Don’t you know I must be in my father’s house?” “.....And his mother stored all these things in her heart.”

Mary had been storing things in her heart for many years. It’s not as if Mary didn’t know who Jesus was. She knew very well about his miraculous birth. She knew her baby boy was no ordinary baby. He was the King of kings, the Son of the Living God. She heard well what the Angel told her, privately. However, she didn’t have the whole plan laid out for her. In other words, she was totally clueless as to how God would use her son. We could argue she had the Torah and clearly she could read in Isaiah and other books, the story of the Messiah born of a Virgin, but this isn’t my point today.

My point is God reveals things to His people. Somethings we need to just store in our hearts. We need to hide them. Meaning it’s not to be broadcasted all over creation. They are meant for us and only us. We are the ones God is speaking too. We need to meditate on them and see what God has to say to us in private. It’s between us and God.

I think Mary was a wise woman. We can learn many, many, many things from her. One of the things I have learned from her is, “Hiding things in my heart of what God shows me.” It’s not because I don’t want to share. Rather, it’s because I’m trying to hear only the voice of God. If I’m taking to others about things I don’t understand I will get human interpretations, and then I’m in trouble. I will get confused.

Friends, every time God shows you something you need to be careful about sharing it. We don’t have to go very far to reflect on what happened to another great Bible character such as Joseph and many others like him found throughout the Scriptures. God gave him a dream. He shared with his brothers. He landed in a pit, was sold as a slave, accused of rape, and landed in prison. All because he shared the dream God told him about his life.

We can learn a lesson from Mary. Twice, it was mentioned about her, “Hiding things in her heart.” That tells me it’s so important God wants us to know and do the same. I made this mistake myself. In my excitement about what God showed me about me, I shared it with others. When those things didn’t happen fast enough for those who heard it, they started to discourage me. Are you sure you should still wait? Are you absolutely sure you heard right? I could deal with those questions. Hands down, I stood my ground, not doubting what God told me.

But, then, came other questions, and comments. “Well, Teresa, you might have heard right but you are not the only one who has to apply. God will not make anyone do things they don’t want to do. You have to clearly understand that.” Worse comment ever, “Don’t you think you should move on? Your making a huge mistake. Let it go!”

I don’t hold anything against the ill-given advise because they are looking at this from a human perspective not from a godly one. I am the one at fault for not hiding in my heart what God told me. In January, someone told me, “I believe you heard wrong. I think you are hurting yourself, and I don’t want you to waste anymore time.” I can’t tell you the panic that person sent me in. I ended up calling one of my Pastors, and my good friend, at midnight. “Pastor Loretta, I’m freaking out. Maybe this person is right. Maybe it’s true I didn’t hear right. Maybe it’s not just about me. Perhaps God wouldn’t let people do what His will is? Maybe I just need to re-think everything? I’m totally scared now. I can still feel my heart pounding. My mind about to explode with questions, I had no answers too." The fear, the doubts, they overwhelmed me, topped with being in the middle of the night, and I was literally shaking and ready to give up.

Then came the strong voice of my friend and Pastor, “Teresa! Stop! You have talked yourself into a frenzy. What did God tell you? Has he ever told you something that He didn’t bring to pass? Do you know God to do things men’s way? Are the promises of God quickly fulfilled? No, I do not believe you heard wrong. Look at all the scripture God gave you. Wait for God. He wouldn’t fail you.”

Why do I share my personal story today? Because I identify with Mary. Except I made a mistake, I told people about what God told me, and in the process, I had to be subjected to their own ideas and thoughts that were not from God. Before we judge those people, they didn’t do it from a mean perspective. They did it from human emotions.

Unfortunately, human and spiritual are total opposites, yielding two very different outcomes. We don’t ever want the outcomes that come by listening to the voices of men, no matter how much they care about us. They are not God, and they don’t have the whole picture.

Twelve years later, and Mary was still hiding, and pondering what God was showing her. Let us learn from this amazing and godly woman. Let’s hide the promises of God. To me hiding does not mean we are concealing something because it’s bad. Rather, we are protecting a rare and wonderful promise made by a God that’s between us and Him. Guarding our hearts and thought process from letting go and loosing God’s promises. Rarely, do the promises of God come without a test. We must endure, persevere, and trust God no matter what.

Personally, I will share this story. God promised me a baby. I tried everything. It didn’t work. I remember the day, September 1998. I said to God, “I’m done! No more wanting and no more driving myself insane. I give you my desire to be a Mom. You said you would give me a baby. That isn’t happening. I’m okay with that. If I heard wrong, I’m sorry. And if I’m to be a mom, well, you will have to bring this baby to my door step because I’m done. God, you hear me? I’m folding my arms and not going to help You out.”

I told the doctors, my friends, and the rest. I’m done. God will have to miraculously bring me a baby and leave it on my doorsteps because I’m finished. It was exactly three months later, a friend who I hadn’t spoken to in a few years called me to let me know, a woman was having a baby, and she wanted us to adopt the baby. Talk about God bringing a baby to my doorsteps! Justin was born exactly eight months later, six weeks premature.

I thought about that last night. Had he been full term, it was exactly 9 months to date, I had surrendered the promise God had given me. And exactly one year later, September, he was dedicated. Not only that, God blessed me again with another baby, Ellianna. Both dedicated in September, the very month I told God I was done. It was accidental they were dedicated in September, six years apart.

Last night, for whatever the reason God brought this into my mind. We are talking about 18 years later. I know exactly what God is personally showing and telling me, “Hide and ponder in your heart my promises. Wait for me, don’t go getting opinions from human minds. Trust me, do things my way. Watch for my hand to move. Pay close attention to my leading, do not lean on your own understanding but acknowledge me in all your ways and I will make your path straight. No good thing will I keep from you,” I believe there are many out there who struggle with God’s promises. This Christmas season do as Mary did, and do not stop. We can see from her life, 12 years later, she was still hiding and pondering the words.

Listen, God is not a God that makes promises and then takes them back. It is us who walk away from what He has said because we refuse to to wait on Him. Remain faithful to Him.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro, Chief Executive Officer, Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. Founder and President, Thread of Hope, Inc.

INSIGHT: It is important to always remember God does NOT go against His character and nature. He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised you. Sometimes you may have to wait for a promise to be fulfilled, and it doesn't mean He has forgotten you. Wait upon the Lord and trust in Him, and in due time, you will see God bring forth what He has promised you. However, when God speaks a word to you, don't be in a rush to go telling others. Treasure the word He gives you, and hold on to it until God gives you the okay to share the word He gave you with others. After all, God's timing is always perfect, and when God speaks a Word, His word never comes back void.

MEDITATE: "but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often." -Luke 2:19

Is anything too difficult for God? Has He spoken to you, given you a promise that you are waiting for Him to fulfill? Has He given you a Word to ponder in your heart for you to meditate on? Is there anything impossible for God? I encourage you to take an example from Mary. Whatever God has promised you, keep that promise close to your heart and meditate on that promise, think about it. Keep that promise before God and let Him work things out for you.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in this day where everything is expected instantly, You tell us to wait, to be still, and know who You are. And so I come before You acknowledging You are God and You are Sovereign. Father, You have never disappointed me. Forgive me for not trusting You as I should and trying to work things out in my own effort. I am giving You my desires knowing that when I delight myself in You, You will give me the desires of my heart according to Your will. Thank You for hearing my cry, Lord, and thank You for giving me Your Word. My confidence is in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

Executive Director

#TopicArticle #timing #promises #perfecttiming #Mary #Christmas #worry #anxiety #fear #desire #thoughts #mindset