Purposeful Pondering

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.  Luke 2:18-20 (ESV) Mary had much to ponder. Being rejected from the inn. The birth of her first son who, in reality, created her and the very wood that from which His birth manger was made. An angelic host singing to shepherds. The stare of Joseph and the animals, the stare of wonder, amazement and confusion. Pondering is what we do when we need to sort out the confusing signals of the day. Pondering is a practice we must employ in our personal lives if we are to make any sense of God’s hand in our lives and in the universe. Pondering is something we will be forced to do, or is a daily habit that instills stability and purpose into our daily routines. While Joseph, the shepherds, and the animals are main characters in this chapter, the star points to Jesus and Mary, and while Jesus cries, Mary ponders. We need to be intentional ponderers if we are to be used in a purposeful, significant manner by God, for the casual observer will only participate in the surface excitement, while the pondered can enjoy the depth of the unfolded plans. For now, the choice is mine