MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Mary's “How can this be?” [Luke 1:34] is the primordial human question when confronted by God's grace.
We can always think of a thousand reasons why we are undeserving of meriting any special favor from God.
~ Michael Dubruiel
When something bad happens, we sometimes ask, “Why me?”
So when something good happens, why aren’t we also asking, “Why me?”
In the midst of a hard year for my extended family, a precious romance was blossoming around us. My incredible niece Amanda was falling in love with a godly young man.
Yesterday we celebrated their personal union as well as the union of our family with Andrew’s family, who already are wonderful, personal friends of mine. It was a beautiful celebration of a beautiful love on a beautiful day.
And I ask,
Why me?
Why has God chosen me and my family to extend such special favor to?
I can’t explain God’s grace. Nor can I explain his miracles.
But if I’ll recognize them when I see them, I can stand in awe of the Giver.
* * *
How are you discovering God’s grace this Christmas season?
When you see it, ask yourself, “How can this be? Why me?”
14 comments:
So, so true...we do ask "Why Me?" when bad things happen and forget to ask to say the same on His blessings...recently I have received some supernatural blessings in the midst of extreme hardship and I have asked "Why Me?" from the blessings...so many others had greater need and yet God reached down to give to me...as He did on His birth.
Congratulations to the whole family
Stopping by from Marriage Monday
I love the way you turn the "why me" reflex around. Amen!
Congrats to your family.
What a beautiful and important message! Thank you for highlighting such an important truth. And thank you for sharing such a special day!
Yeah...romantic wedding! You're right...what a challenge...to ask WHY ME during the good times...I certainly know I don't deserve it! Smiles and love to you today!
I was just reading this morning about the time David wanted to build the temple, and God said no and then promised David He would build his kingdom and his line for generations to come -- I don't know if David realized that would include the Messiah. "Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" I can just imagine his astonishment, but he turned it to praise and affirmation of God's Word. So should we all when God blesses us. Good reminders to me both here and in the Scripture today.
Barbara,
I’m so glad you made the David connection. Interestingly enough, I just finished reading 1 Chronicles earlier today, about David gathering the materials for the temple.
I think many a man (me, too?) would have felt resentful to envision and start a beautiful project only to hand it over to someone else. Yet you’re right that David praised God for what he did allow him to do, and for that incredible promise God made to him.
I think these words of David are so beautiful:
1Ch 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1Ch 29:13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
I wholeheartedly agree with you that we should all be astonished at what God does for us and turn it into praise.
Thanks for sharing such a simple and honest post. I have been chewing on the same concept. We have been rocked a lot this year but I refuse to ask why me, we all suffer here on earth, I have decided to enjoy the beauty and am looking forward to plenty of it this Christmas:)
Awwww that is so sweet!!! It's like when God sends a rainbow after a storm, or even during a storm. With Christ there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow!
And thanks so much for your comment on my blog today. You are so right, God has been preparing me for this trial for a long time, I just didn't realize it. I had kind of thought that in my mind, but your comment brought it all out today and helped me to realize it!
Thanks sweet blog friend!!!!!
~Sandy
What a great perspective. Last month I featured guest bloggers who simply wrote what they were thankful for and so many had tough years. Every post was from someone who thought the why not me, and their thankfulness shone. May I model this! Great post!
Beautiful! I think Christmas weddings are lovely! Congratulations to the happy couple.
And your question "Why me?" is the perfect question to ask when beauty flowers in our midst. I also like to ask, "Why not me?" on both happy and sad occasions too.
Thanks for joining us for Marriage Monday today, Lisa.
Merry Christmas!
e-Mom ღ
Lovely.
As I look more at Mary's "How can this be?" I realize that the angel had already answered the question of "Why me?" twice.
"Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you"
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."
"Why me?"
Because you have found favor with God, not because of anything you have done but because of what He has done.
And then I think of the tough times, the times where our first question is "Why me?" I reflect on the book of Job (which I'm currently reading in my through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan) and realize that this "Why me?" has the same answer.
Why have I been chosen to experience such joy?
Why have I been chosen to experience such suffering?
Because I have found favor with God, not through any works of my own but through the work which only He could do.
you've put the "Why me?" question on a different light. that's interesting and enlightening. thanks!
Marriage Monday
A Time To Weep and A Time To Laugh
Rebekah,
Good insight; yes, the angel HAD already answered the question twice already. I wonder how many times I ask the same question that He’s already answered…
Great thoughts for the coming season of Joy and looking back on God's blessing the whole year round. Happy Holidays ahead!
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