“She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” // Luke 2:37
I stood in the back of the hall where the retreat participants were gathered, and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked around. There were young college girls, moms with babies, mothers of older kids, brides of Christ, and silver-haired women bouncing grandchildren. Each had her own unique story, yet we were all there for a common purpose—to deepen our love of God and to experience the presence of Jesus.
In today’s Gospel, we read about the prophetess Anna, an older woman who spent her days in the temple worshiping, praying, and fasting day and night. To an outsider, it may have seemed a little crazy or that she was wasting her life. But, as in the narrative of the birth of Jesus, we see humble hearts—from the lowly shepherds to the wise men who were not too proud to kneel before the Baby Jesus. Likewise, God favored Anna, someone who seemed insignificant in the eyes of the world, and He allowed her to see the Messiah before she died.
I find this incredibly encouraging! Even though there are high-profile women spreading the Gospel, most of us are living quiet lives, humbly serving God as best we can in our circumstances. We don’t have to feel bad that our current situation or season of life hinders us from doing as much as we’d like. Instead, we need to hear God's call and live the Gospel right where we are.
Whether we are struggling through school or work deadlines, are surrounded by kids and messiness, or miss the old days of a busy household, God has His unique plan for us in this moment of time. Sometimes it is to carry on quietly, offering up the prayers of your struggle. And sometimes it is to speak boldly, as Anna did, and proclaim that the Messiah is here to save us. Whatever our current call, we can give God a humble and open heart.
What is God asking of you today?
Give God a humble and open heart. // Bobbi RolClick to tweet
Bobbi Rol is a wife and mama living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, daughter (also a Blessed Is She writer), and three teen boys. When she is not driving her kids to school, practices, and games, she can be found by the ocean, catching a movie, or collecting journals and stationery. She was a contributing author to Gift: Study on the Eucharist, And Hay Became Holy, and our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her at https://www.instagram.com/
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