“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

When I look at Mary, Jesus’ mother, I see within her a humble heart, overflowing with joy because of the rich blessings she received. We know almost nothing about her. Scriptures only give us a genealogy. What kind of person would attract God to bestow such blessings? I think we can learn a lot about her character by the way she responds to the circumstances she faced. In Luke 1:28-38, Gabriel appeared to Marry with a blessing. He says, “You have found favor with God!” During the angel’s announcement, Mary is recorded as saying only two things. One is a question of clarification: “How can this happen?” And the other is a statement of faith and obedience: “I am the Lord’s servant. May what you have foretold come true.” Mary’s response echoed back to Abraham’s response when he first received the promise that he would be a father of a great nation. Abraham believed and his response was one of obedience, even though he knew he was old and had no children. Likewise, Mary believed, and her response was one of obedience.

Mary’s second blessing came when she visited with Elizabeth. The scriptures tell us that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby she was carrying leaped inside her and at that moment, Elizabeth knew Mary was carrying the Son of God. She poured out a blessing upon Mary: “God has blessed you above all women…You are blessed because you believe that the Lord will do what He said.” Luke 1:46-55 records Mary’s response to this blessing – a song – a song of humility, of hope, and of praise. If her heart had not been filled from Gabriel’s blessing, surely it had to be filled now.

Mary’s third blessing came the night of the Emmanuel’s birth. The blessing came in the testimony shared by the shepherds, who had come to worship the child. They spoke about a host of angels singing praises about her baby. It is here we read that Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart, often. To treasure something is to store it hidden away where only you can find it, because it holds value to you. What are the blessings in your life that you have treasured? How are those treasures helping you keep your heart full?

I think there is something important to notice. Mary did not just treasure these blessings, but she pondered them often in her heart. By pondering often, she kept the blessings alive and afresh. She did not let time steal or diminish their value. She did not forget. How many times in my own life have I received a blessing, only to allow its memory to gradually fade away? Too many times to recall. In pursuing the memory of our blessings, we are quickly reminded of the great love God has for us and the kindness of His heart. Do not forget the blessings but ponder them, often. Treasure them. Hide them away where you can find them when you need them the most.

I wonder, though, should we also be pondering the hardships, the challenges, and the things we consider to be bad in the same way we ponder the blessings? Should we also hide these things away in our heart and ponder them, often? No one likes to dwell on their past mistakes. No one likes to be reminded of the uncomfortable and unpleasant. Yet, was not Jesus in these things, as well? I just spoke about the clear blessings Mary received surrounding the birth of her child; but what about the hardships she suffered? Do we forget she became pregnant out of wedlock? Even though we, as the reader, know Mary’s pregnancy was a divine marvel, and not what her society would consider a sin. Her reputation was smeared. What about the fact she almost lost her fiancé over claims of unfaithfulness? What about the fact she had to travel a long distance to Bethlehem on a donkey, while 9 months pregnant? What about the fact she had to deliver her child in dirty barn? What about the fact she had to run for her life into Egypt, just to save Jesus’ life? Do we not read about these at the same time we read about the blessings? Are not both the good and the bad part of the same story? Was not God in those hardships the same way He was in those blessings? I believe we can see God’s hand of providence moving in both the blessings and the hardships we experience, working out all things for the good of those He loves.

If we fail to see the hand of God in the hardships, we may never understand how even the worst of circumstances may produce the outcome of being the biggest blessings in our lives. The hardships we face remind us of God’s faithfulness. When we learn to walk through the hardships, with our hand in God’s hand, our lives are transformed. This is the kind of transformation that can only happen through hardship. It is the most beautiful kind of transformation. I wonder if, when scriptures say Mary treasured all these things and pondered them often, if they were not also referring to the hardships, too? I think Mary pondered them both because both were fully part of God’s blessings. Have you ever pondered how your biggest hardship, your suffering, or the hurt you have faced may, in actuality, be your biggest blessing? You will not be able to see it during the trouble, but when the smoke clears, it will be evident. Whether our circumstances are clearly a blessing or a hardship, let us ponder both, for God is using it – and if God is using it, then it is worth treasuring.