I am but a girl. Engaged to be married. Betrothed. Preparing for my life as a wife with Joseph, my Beloved. That is, until the angel arrived and turned our lives upside down. He spoke words my mind was not prepared to hear. Unbelievable words. Unfathomable. An angel? Really. Who would even believe this tale of mine? If I hadn’t seen him myself I would have thought I was hallucinating. I am still wondering if this is all a dream.

His words made no sense to my brain, but in my heart, I had a feeling he was telling the truth. I wrestled and tried to wrap my mind around what he was saying. Give birth to the Son of God? Highly favored, indeed. To say I was troubled is an understatement. Of all the women in the world, I was chosen for this task. Why me? What was I supposed to say? No? Unheard of. I was trembling in fear and hope when I said, “I am God’s servant. Let it be done as you have said.” His words still ring in my ears, “no word from God will ever fail.” My heart believes his words, even as my mind is fighting to understand them.

I enter Elizabeth’s house. If what the angel said is true, that she is with child, she will understand my plight and my trembling. She runs to me, “Blessed is she who has trusts that the Lord will fulfill his promises to her!” My confusion melts away. My heart is filled with hope. Assurance. This will come to pass. I am so full of hope, I cannot help but proclaim what I now know to be true! The song flows from my lips.

 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just has he promised our ancestors.”

Now, I am amazed at what lies before me. I cannot speak about it without being misunderstood, or put away. So, I hold these things. I ponder. I am in wonder that God would choose a poor girl like me for his grand purposes. I am humbled by it. I must keep this secret of God’s, until the time comes for him to reveal it to the world. The time is soon, but until then, I will treasure his words in my heart.

Dear One, I always fulfill my promises. I do not forget them. They are good and true. I speak them over you, maybe not with an angel every time, but the effect is the same. I promise you hope and a future. Hope that fuels your belief. Hope that rises when things do not appear as you had supposed. Hope. It is one of my most precious gifts. Do not despise it. Do not let it drain out of you. Come to me and I will renew it. I have an unlimited supply. No matter what you are up against. No matter how outlandish it appears. Your heart knows hope. It knows the truth, that my words never come back void. They are trustworthy and true. Ponder these things in your heart while you wait on hope to rise.