storehouses of the heart

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  (Luke 2:19)

Like Mary, every believer has a storehouse of treasured memories and experiences that remind us of the miraculous and faithful God we serve. Mary had recently been visited by an angel herself, yet she is deeply moved by the angelic message repeated to her by the shepherd witnesses. So much so that she treasured their words in her heart. In a similar way we treasure up an answered prayer, miraculous provision, or maybe a fitly spoken word or scripture.

Although Mary’s experience was unique, the temptation she may have felt to fear in the face of uncertainty was not. Like Mary, we are given the information we need to go forward, but certainly not all the details. She knew that this child was the Messiah, and that of his kingdom there would be no end. But she could not be sure of what all of this meant for her in the years to come.

Certainly these treasures provided encouragement when she and Joseph faced danger and a move from her home to a foreign land, and comfort when she watched her beloved son and Savior being crucified. Similarly, as we maneuver life’s rocky trail, we can find encouragement in the treasures in our own storehouses, those past experiences and things that remind us of God’s faithfulness and goodness.