Living Our Vows: Mary & Joseph

I thought i would do Living Our Vows a little different today to celebrate the reason for the season.

We all know the story of Mary and Joseph, the chosen parents for Jesus.  

The love they had for one another was definitely tested even before they were officially living their vows.

Let's paint a little picture shall we...
 (i know you know the story but if i didn't paint the picture then the post would end here!)

Mary was a teenager in her prime, excited to marry the man of her dreams.  

And then one night, suddenly, her whole life changes.  

I don't know if i would be so willing if i was in her shoes. 

 I cannot even imagine the thoughts going through her mind when the Angel Gabriel said to her:  

Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.

Mary's Thoughts

Don't be afraid? WHATTHE?

Am i  not a Virgin?

What will Joseph think?

What will my family and friends think?

Not many men would want to marry a woman who was pregnant

 with someone else's baby especially when they weren't really sure what, who, how was going on!  

I am sure when Mary told Joseph what was going on, he probably had many questions.

Joseph's Thoughts

I thought she was a virgin?

What would his family/neighbors think of him?

Would he carry the shame of illegitimacy all through his life?

I think both of their thoughts (and many more) were well founded 

because as soon the plan was revealed,

 i am sure they thought their dreams of living happily ever after was shattered.

However the story of Mary and Joseph is a special one 

because it reminds us to live our lives trusting in God always no matter the circumstances.  

Initially, it started with Mary's decision to submit to God's will and trust Him with the consequences.  

This reminds us that submission to God's will always involves some risk. 

 However God has promised to work all the details together for good 

and we have no alternative but to believe it if we want to enjoy His peace and power.

How many times do we go through a circumstance as a married couple 

and forget to trust in our God and in each other.

During this season, the love story of Mary and Joseph reminds us that: 

1) The willingness to obey God and trust him with the consequences 

is a foundation stone in a good marriage. 

2) Trust in God is only the beginning of a good marriage, however. 

There must also be a deep trust in each other,

 (and no man has ever been asked to trust the girl he married more than the one in this story.)

3) Trust is being able to tell our mates our innermost thoughts and feelings,

4) Trust does put us at our husband’s or wife’s mercy. It makes us totally vulnerable.

I don't know how many of us could live our vows like Mary and Joseph (given the same circumstances) however their love story and union reminds us to TRUST in God and each other at all times. 

They were definitely a couple who reminds us to live our vows completely with God first and foremost!

Questions of the Day:

Have you trusted in God recently while living your vows?

Have you trusted in God during this season?