Gabriel Moments

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:28-30)

We smile at the thought of the angel, Gabriel, giving Mary unexpected news. We smile because we know the rest of the story. We smile even though we know the rest of the story. We comfort ourselves at the thought of her fear of being shunned - and even stoned - with the knowledge that she was favored and God was with her. But when Mary had to tell Joseph of her pregnancy, and see the emotion and judgment in his eyes, did she feel favored? When she found herself in labor without her mother and aunt by her side, did she feel favored? Did she feel that God was with her? Hopefully Gabriel's words played on repeat in Mary's heart and mind, giving her strength and peace through each challenge to each joy.

Can we dare to imagine that there’s always a greater story being written, and that the part we can see isn’t meant to discourage or dismay us - but to inspire us to keep going until we can see around the next corner... and the next? Can we dare to sing with Mary, through tears, in a place of danger and discomfort, staring in wonder and bewilderment into the face of our Savior?

We can dare to embrace the twists and turns of life as Gabriel moments because God is with us - even when it doesn't look or feel like it, even when we don't look or feel like it. The One, through whom we were spoken into existence, was birthed into our suffering, would rise to prepare our victory, is with us still. May Gabriel's words play on repeat in our hearts and minds, giving us strength and peace

through each challenge to each joy.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)