Monday, April 8, 2013

"Do whatever He says."

I've mentioned before that I'm doing a personal study of Mary.  Her willingness to do God's will, even when it seemed bizarre and unnatural has always held me captive.  She.Just.Did.ItAmazing.

After a bit of reading today, I saw on the web that some groups of Christians recognize today as a day to reflect on the "Annunciation of Mary" (when the angel announced God's intentions to Mary).  I didn't know there was a day for that, I've been pondering it for a long time now :)  

But today I've been really drawn to the scripture of the wedding feast at Cana.  It's the last time we "hear" from Mary.  

John 2:1-11 "On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.  When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."  And Jesus said to her, "woman, how does  your concern affect me?  My hour has not yet come."  His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."  Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding 20-30 gallons.  Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water."  So they filled them to the brim.  Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter."  So they took it.  And the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridgegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, and inferior one; but you have kept the good win until now."  Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. 

I think it is absolutely marvelous that when Jesus did His first miracle, His mom knew it was comingShe knew in her heart and soul what He was capable of.  What a gift to His mother.  Kind of a supernatural "Hey Mom, Watch this!"  

I also love that she seemed to just KNOW it was time.  Moms are smart that way.  We generally know what our children are capable of.

And lastly, I think it's critical to realize that Mary's last words recorded are "Do whatever He says."  She had lived "do whatever He says" and knew everyone else should too.  

As I've grown older, the thing that determines what I choose to study is this...Does it point me back to Jesus?  Someone asked me the other day why I was so intrigued with Mary.  My answer is simple, "She points me to the cross."  There is much to learn. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Fairy Gardens

This morning my niece Bree posted on facebook that she and her daughter, my great-niece, Tatum are building fairy gardens.  So sweet.  I am also building fairy gardens on my patio.  

As a little girl I was very taken with "wee things" such as little doll toys, play food, tiny trinkets, miniature anything.  In fact it is this fascination with "wee things" that I think has led to my vast Christmas ornament collection.  I just adore little miniature pretties.  

Right now my little fairy gardens just consist of some small things I've collected during the winter.  I bought a little wire bench last Christmas while out shopping with Angie.  The other day I bought some picket fencing at Hobby Lobby. I also got a couple of fairy garden signs while at Hobby Lobby one day.  Two of the little fairy "habitats" were purchased at Hobby Lobby and look like little pieces of wooden logs.   

As soon as it warms up enough to plant something besides pansies, I'm going to start planting wee plants in my fairy gardens.  I have lots of plans for my fairy gardens, including one that I haven't even started on yet!  

Oh by the way, they say that willow flies are fairies in disguise.