I am not alone

"I am the Lord's slave. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

I am afraid of feeling alone. To some degree, I always have been. My mom says that when I was baby, I would cry whenever I was left alone, so one day she put a stuffed bunny with green overalls and big button eyes in my crib. I accepted "Summer Bunny" as company and fell asleep.

When I grew older, I hated staying home alone. Babysitting was usually okay, because I had someone to be strong for, but being alone at night still terrifies me.

The thing I'm most afraid about the work that I think God wants me to do is that I might be alone. Of course, there will be people around me, but I may or may not speak their language- literally and figuratively. If there is no one that you can relate to, you might as well be alone.

I wonder what kind of girl Mary was, and what kind of fears she had when she heard the angel's message. Joseph could very well have divorced her- he almost did. Many of her friends and family members could have (and likely did) shun and speak poorly of the unwed mother-to-be. I wonder if Mary ever felt alone.

The Bible doesn't tell us how Mary felt, but it does tell us how she answered. "I am the Lord's slave. May it be done to me according to your word." I hope that I will respond like Mary, and if I rely on God's promises, I think I will.

"You will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord's declaration" (Jeremiah 1:7b-8).

"I will be with you just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous . . ." (Joshua 1:5b-6a).