If Mary Was Unavailable, Would God Have Chosen Me?
If Mary was unavailable, would God have chosen me?
Could I have been the mother of Christ, a symbol of hope to be?
When the angel left would I have gone, Elizabeth to see,
Or would I have hidden afraid to acknowledge the changes happening to me?
Would I have been angry and felt self-pity when others began to chide,
Or like Mary would my faith in God have been a stronghold in which to abide?
Would I trust God’s protection for those I love or try to go it alone,
Even though God felt I needed a partner with which to make a home?
If Mary had been busy, would I have committed my life to do this task,
Or when the trip to Bethlehem arose would that have been too much to ask?
Would I be offended when shepherds invaded upon the birth of my child,
Or would I have shared this gift from God and been a mother mild?
Would I have fretted at how to provide for the maker of all that is,
Or would I have watched in awe as wise men gave gifts such as his?
If Mary had sent the angel away would I have welcomed him in,
Not knowing that the times ahead would affect the lives of all men?
Could I have dragged my baby away when told to flee in fear,
Or would I have remained there in pride daring harm to come near?
Could I have raised my other children while having a perfect son,
And shown the love of God that was needed to each and every one?
Would my motherly desire to show his power have overshadowed his need
To grow and develop over the years before showing he was God indeed?
If Mary had been unwilling to help would I have risked my heart,
As my first born child would become a target and the trials would begin to start?
Would my faith in God have begun to wane as he was pulled away,
Or would I have been able to stand by the cross as for our sins he had to pay?
Would I be remembered for storing treasures in my heart and seeing all the joy,
Or would my focus have been on myself and what I wanted for my boy?
With joys come trials, with love comes pain,
But each day I live I have a chance to gain.
For as Mary was faithful in receiving her gift, I receive my own,
Which are given from God not for my purpose but come simply on loan.
As I ponder these things, may I be willing to accept the gifts sent my way,
And look to him for the help that is available from above on every day.
By Nancy Nicewonger
December 9, 2000
© Nancy Nicewonger 2001