As You Wish

You know how in the beginning of The Princess Bride, Buttercup keeps bossing Wesley around and his response is always "As you wish"? Then the narrator tells us that "As you wish" really means "I love you". Wesley is so completely in love with Buttercup that he lives as her servant and happily does whatever she asks him to. Well I just had an epiphany!! Wesley is exactly like Mary (the mother of Jesus) in the Bible. Don't believe me? I'll show you.

Each Christmas I read through Luke 1-2 because it's the real Christmas story and each time I read it I am amazed and inspired by Mary. Here's why. When Gabriel shows up to tell Mary that her whole life is about to turn upside down, her response is "As you wish". You might not think it's a big deal, but let's break it down. This is all from Luke 1:26-38.

Let's say it's you and you're in high school. You're dating this great guy and doing it well - nothing shady going on. You're even planning on getting married once you're out of school and both of your families are thrilled. Then one day, out of the blue, God sends a messenger with some news. In the Bible, when an angel appeared to people it usually made them pass out because it was so shocking and awesome.
So Gabriel (the angel) shows up, and he's calmed down his brilliance a little so you don't freak out, and he says, "Hello blessed one!! God is with you!"
And then you respond by freaking out a little...because what exactly is going on and what does THAT mean??!!
Then he goes on to say "Don't be afraid, you're going to get pregnant with God's Son. He'll be the greatest King ever, and He's going to save the world!"
To this, your logical response is "Ummm...I'm not actually married and having sex so how's that supposed to happen?"
And Gabe says "Oh don't worry, the Holy Spirit will use His power to make you pregnant. That way this baby will really be God's son. I know it sounds impossible but God does the impossible all the time."

And here is where Mary becomes my hero. Because she's going to have to walk around high school pregnant, and everyone is going to think she's been sleeping around; and her friends and parents are all going to think she's lying and be so disappointed; and her boyfriend will be hurt and break up with her, which means no beautiful wedding and happy future with him. And even though all that must have gone through her mind, her response was "I am the Lord's servant, let it be done to me as you have said." which translated in today's English is simply..."As you wish". That makes me cry every time I read it. I think it's because the only way a person could respond like that is if her love for God is much much bigger than her love for anything or anyone else. Someday I hope to have an attitude more like Mary's...until then I keep pressing on.

Merry Christmas everyone. You're in my prayers.
Love
Jamie