Mary - Breath of Inspiration

When I became the mother of a special child, I found inspiration through Mary, the mother of another special child. Over the last decade the unusual task assigned to me sometimes has been too much. Many times I have felt inadequate to handle so much responsibility, and certainly I have been overwhelmed by the requirements of my days. Mary was given an overwhelming responsibility, too. Unlike people who study for their call in life (such as doctors, teachers, preachers, and politicians) and without important training which is given to people who apprentice (such as electricians, carpenters,shopkeepers, and soldiers) Mary was called and had to rely on God for everything.

Although, my special child is very different from Mary's, we have some things in common. Just like Mary, I did not study or receive training before starting my call to be the mother of two special children. Mary could not and I cannot rely on knowledge or training to carry the overwhelming responsibility assigned. And without a crutch, we must look to the Lord for everything. When Mary faced ridicule from being an unwed teenage mother because she had to be a virgin, she needed more strength than she or her family could give her. When traveling pregnant and "great with child" to Bethlehem in order to fulfill prophecy (unknown to her) Mary needed more strength than Joesph could give her. When delivering her firstborn in the secrecy of a stable and without assistance of a midwife, Mary needed the strength of God. And He provided!

"For with God NOTHING [He calls us to do] will be impossible." Luke 1:37


For my birthday a few years ago, I asked Dad to paint this verse over our family picture above the mantle. As I look at the little faces of my five children in the picture, I must look up to the verse used by God's angel to convince Mary of her calling and of the strength the Lord would provide for her to do it. Mary inspires me on the hard days to rely on the Lord for the task he has given to me as the mother of five children, including two who have special needs. I hope you see that you can rely on Him, too, as you enjoy one of the many gifts of this Christmas season. M&R7

Please enjoy: Breath of Heaven Click on the title for the song.