“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
I don't know if Mary had read Isaiah's book before God turned her life upside down. Had she heard this prophecy? Did she realize when she gazed down at the most beautiful baby she had ever seen that it was her little sweetheart that Isaiah was talking about?
I bet there's a lot of pressure on the mom of a great leader. I wonder how a president's mother feels with her son running the country. Did I remind him enough to say thank you, to send a note? What does it look like these days behind his ears? (It's all a reflection on the mother; you know that!) So if there's a bit of stress on the mother to see her son run a country, no doubt there was more for Mary when her son was expected to save the world.
I have a lot of confidence in my kids. But could I sit back calmly like Mary and let one of them run a country or be responsible for the salvation of the world? Wouldn't I need to, every now and then, whisper Honey, I know you got the Peace Talks all worked out, but did you pick up your room? Good job with Lazarus, sweetie, but the dishes are still piled in the sink.
Of course Mary didn't think like that. But I do wonder if, on that special night he was born, she worried about the big job her tiny baby had ahead of him. She had a big advantage, though. She had God's assurance of how it was going to go--that everything would work out according to His plan.
Suzanne Craig Robertson grew up at First Baptist Nashville; her parents are First Baptist members Anne and Floyd Craig. She rejoined First Baptist in 2001 with her husband, Alan, and daughters: Anne Grace, 18, a senior in high school and Allie, 11, a sixth grader. Suzanne is employed as the editor of a statewide legal magazine, the Tennessee Bar Journal.
The audio version of today's devotional was recorded by Melody McCoy.
