How Will This Be?

³⁴"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

 ³⁵The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[c] the Son of God. ³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1: 34-37

Mary asks a question here of the angel, just as Zechariah did. But do you see the difference in her question? Zechariah asked, "How can I be sure?" He didn't believe.  Mary asked, "How will this be?" Her question was one of curiosity. I understand it will be, can you tell me how?

There is a profound difference between questioning God' and asking questions of God. One questions His character (Who He is and what He can do). The other asks questions about His plan.

Mary wasn't chastised for her question. The angel simply indulged her and let her in on the plan.  God doesn't always tell us how things are going to happen, but Mary got to know.

I really think God likes questions! He likes meeting us where we are at and giving us the opportunity to build our relationship with Him to get to know Him better.....and I've found that He is really good at answering my questions.

With the kids: We went to a great parenting conference this week. One of the exercises they had us do was practice asking open-ended questions...you know those questions that have to be answered with more than "yes" or "no".  Did you know that we have the opportunity to teach our kids to be good communicators with God and others by the way we practice communicating with them. If your kids are old enough to talk, spend some time today digging into their thoughts and asking them some good questions. You might be amazed what you find out.