Blessed Is She Who Believed

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

What a woman Mary is. I’m in awe of her faith that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her: carrying the Christ child lovingly in her womb, believing in His purposes for her life and for her child, and obeying His direction step-by-step even when she couldn't see the big picture.

For months I prayed for something near and dear to my heart, and the Lord kept promising that He would deliver at the right time. When God finally sent part of what I asked for packaged unexpectedly, I was shocked.

I told my spiritual director, “God really did deliver!” She smiled. I realized my lack of faith. Why didn’t I wholeheartedly believe that the Lord would deliver what He promised all this time? Why did I doubt?

I think God used this experience to boost my faith that He would deliver on His promises. He gave me a sliver of His promise to get me to trust more fully.

Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you’re praying to meet the man (or woman) of your dreams, or to have a child. Maybe you’re praying for a break from the chaos of your life. Maybe you’re praying for the job or career you had always hoped for, or a cure for your illness. Maybe you're praying for wholeness in the face of brokenness - for restoration of your marriage, family, or other important relationships. If you have persevered in prayer and God’s promised those things to you, He will deliver in time.

Blessed is she who believed. May our prayer be that we become more like her with every passing day, ever-trusting in the promises of our Lord, and then maybe someday, our Lord will greet us at the heavenly gates and say:

“Blessed are you who believed!”