I Wonder Who They Were

I just read a devotion called "A Mary Moment" and it talked about how Mary's "moment of a lifetime" was when the angel Gabriel came to her to tell her that she would be the mother of our Lord. It then went on to talk about how we all have a "moment of a lifetime" when God calls us to do something great and that God chooses His own perfect timing in which to reveal it to us. I totally agree.

There was something different from this devotion that grabbed my attention and I guess I've been thinking about it the past couple of days. I was watching The Nativity Story the other day and it crossed my mind then as well.

We always hear about Mary, and rightfully so, that she must have been quite the young woman in so many ways to be chosen by God to carry His Son. Then there is also Joseph who was also a godly man to be gracious to Mary and not stone her and then obeyed God when Gabriel also came to him to tell him of God's great plan. And of course Elizabeth and Zachariah and others. But what I wonder about is who exactly were Mary's parents, Jesus' grandparents?

As far as I know I've never learned anything specific about them and at least off the top of my head do not know their names, if they are even known at all. Now that I am a parent many things take on a whole new perspective, particularly those that involve who I am to my children and what kind of legacy I will leave behind when I go home. I know who my parents are and all that they have done, and continue to do, to instill strong morals and values and a firm foundation in Christ in me. I imagine that Mary's parents were very similar. They almost had to be to raise her to be who she was.

Of course we are all human, imperfect, and sinful but I am inclined to think that Mary's parents, Jesus' grandparents, were wholly devoted to God and passed that legacy on to their children. That is the kind of parent I want to be. To raise my children to fully rely on God, to trust Him with their lives, to obey His every command, and to trust His every promise. While we will fall short and fail God, He is incapable of failing us. He knows our every need and is faithful to provide for us.

After reading the devotion earlier and hearing what I have over the past few days, my prayer is that God will work through me to raise children who are in love with Him and will touch the world for Him. Abby and Caleb are only on loan to me. They fully belong to God and I pray that they will grow to be strong in Him.