Swatting Away the Easy
Oh, the joys of living in the countryside! The fresh air, the rolling hills, the peace and quiet...and the flies. Yes, you read that right. Flies. Those pesky little critters that seem to appear out of nowhere and invade your personal space without an invitation.
Oddly enough, we typically have very few issues with bugs in our area, but with the recent warm weather and fertilizing of the nearby fields, our home has become a fly paradise. They buzz around our heads, land on our food, and generally make a nuisance of themselves. And with no screens on the windows, they have free reign to come and go as they please.
Now, I’m not one to shy away from a good fly-swatting session. In fact, I have several fly swatters on hand at all times, ready to do battle with those little pests. But there's one problem: Tess.
The Cost of Obeying God
When the angel Gabriel appeared unto Mary that fateful day, I doubt she had any clue how greatly her life was about to change. After all, his greeting troubled her, and she must have wondered what his words meant. But once he explained God's plan for her to bear the Messiah, she responded with humility and surrender: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38).
With those words, Mary agreed to carry the very Son of God in her womb, knowing full well the cost that came with such an honor. She knew people would accuse her of impurity when they noticed her pregnant belly. After all, she was still a virgin espoused to Joseph.