ZPCBlog

About the author: Kara Crabb is married to Mike for 21 years. She is the mother of 6, grandma of 5 going on 7. Kara is a ZPC member, deacon, and created the Prayer Path in 2009. She has been involved in many ministries at ZPC.

Luke 2:19, NIV:   But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

In today's scripture, Mary "treasures" and "ponders" what is happening. These words in the Greek are suntereo and sumballo. The first implies protection and remembrance. The second implies preserving and observing. Mary makes a deliberate effort to remember all that is happening around her. How often do we quietly absorb what is happening to us?

In 2008, I undertook an invitation from God to create a quiet place where his people could seek him in a natural setting. It was a very selfish undertaking. I wanted quiet. I wanted peace. I wanted a place I could have God all to myself. Maybe in this bustling holiday frenzy you desire the same just as Mary did on the first Christmas. The Prayer Path is what emerged from my desire to seek him and oh yeah, I found him there. Where is The Prayer Path you may ask? Well it is just off ZPC’s southwest parking lot. I went there this week to ponder what to say today. Among the sound of crunching leaves, surrounded by the cool wind kissing my cheeks, inhaling the scents of the earth, seeing the birds flit, and observing the hoof tracks of a mother and her fawn along the path I felt the presence of God. I treasure my time spent there and I continually ponder the things the Lord has spoken to me in that place.

What did Mary treasure and ponder? Angelic encounters, a miraculous baby, shepherds praising her son, and wisemen bringing extravagant gifts from afar. Possibly she was so overwhelmed that remembering and protecting the story was her all consuming thought. 

We all have experienced God at some point in our lives and we all have stories to share. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed with what we should do next, the best place to start is to be still and know that HE is God. When we do that our treasured memories can be shared with others. If the mother of God had not done these things no-one would know the Christmas story. Ponder that!

Activity:

Take a walk in the Prayer Path to ponder and treasure in your heart all that God has shown you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting me into your story. May I ponder and treasure all the wonderful things you have done for me and through me. May I radiate the light of Christ to the world around me by sharing my story of you in my life to others. Amen

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