Wisdom and stature . . .

There's a little verse in the book of Luke that encourages me greatly each year as a homeschool mom. I tend to run across this verse more often around Christmas, since Luke wrote my favorite account of the story of Christ's birth.

Luke 2:52 . . . Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

We don't read a great deal about Mary in scripture, but what is written has always fascinated me. I primarily wonder what it must have been like to parent your Creator and Savior. Granted, Jesus may have been the "model" child, but I suspect that Mary had her struggles parenting Him just as I do with my children. After all, if my young son had wandered off without telling me and I didn't find him for three days, I can imagine I would have stressed just a bit.

But despite all the challenges of raising the Son of God, Mary and Joseph seem to have done a good job, based on this small statement in Luke's account.

• Mary's Son grew in wisdom - there is much discussion over how an Omniscient Jesus could have "grown" in wisdom/understanding, but I prefer to take the statement at face value. Children grow in an understanding of right and wrong and develop discernment in large part due to the training they receive at home. I have to believe that Jesus received excellent instruction from His parents.
• Jesus grew in stature - the Greek for the term "stature" refers to age and maturity, or attaining a level of maturity where you become "fit" or ready for a particular goal. I'm sure that Mary had set some goals for her son just as I have for my children.
• He grew in favor with God and all people - the term "favor" here actually means grace (charis). It is a character trait which produces joy, pleasure and delight. No "socialization" issues here! Jesus apparently got along well with His peers and those who were His elders.

As a parent I know that all the qualities mentioned in this verse didn't manifest themselves overnight. Mary (and Joseph) must have invested time, energy, prayer and tears during that 18 (or so) years of Jesus' life ... verse 51 of the same chapter tells us that Mary stored all these things in her heart. How many times have I wrestled in my heart with issues related to my kids?

We know the end of the story ... though Mary obviously didn't at the time. She faced the ultimate fear of every parent ... the death of her son. Leading up to that awful day her son was ridiculed, mocked, arrested and generally an out-cast. Could she have done something different? Would the circumstances have changed if she had made other choices when raising Jesus? All questions that we ask of ourselves when things don't go as we plan for our children.

I take great encouragement in knowing that despite Mary's short-comings, God had a perfect plan for Jesus. The heartaches, struggles and fears she must have experienced during those 30 years were finally redeemed. I choose to believe that God has a perfect plan for my children as well. While I may not see or understand the reasons behind today's heartaches and struggles, someday it will all be made clear!

So during the busyness of this Christmas season, as you take time to reflect on the reason for our celebration, focus a few of those moments on the mother of the Baby and take heart in *her* story as well.

Still on the journey ...
~Judy Wnuk
Sonlight Customer Champion

PS - While Mary stored all her thoughts and struggles in her heart, you don't have to! Our Parenting Forum is a great spot to find encouragement on your parenting journey. Share your own joys and struggles and hear from the hearts of others who are walking the same path.