#momentsofreflection

[toniadbenas]

Mary's Perspective

No one ever talks about the physical feelings that Mary must have been feeling today. Could you imagine riding on a donkey or a camel at nine months - or 36 weeks or 38 weeks - pregnant? I am sure that she was having beginning stages of contractions, low back pain, and without a bra (they weren't around back then); her breasts were probably engorged with no support.

Swollen ankles. Discomfort. Not body pillow to help get comfortable. No pain medication. No heart rate monitor. No testing during her pregnancy. Just the Almighty God watching over and protecting her the entire time.

She had to persevere through the unknown, trust God in the uncertainty, power through fears, and develop a love for the life growing inside of her - feeling the kicks and movement, with no reference as to what labor and delivery would look like, or what to do as a first-time mom. Can we also reiterate the fact that she was only 14?!

Then, arriving in Bethlehem, she didn't have a hospital with a doctor waiting for her. No labor and delivery room. She wasn't even indoors. Imagine the cold of winter, laying on the floor of a barn in a stable with the stench of animals all around you. Having to concentrate on knowing when to push and remembering to breathe as she pushed out a whole human - who was also the Son of God!

Instinctively wrapping Him to keep Him warm and nursing Him at her breasts, while still profusely bleeding out in pain, and uncomfortable, without another soul in sight to help. Imagine Joseph and the incredible trust he had to have and faith in God to be by Mary's side through it all, and to put his pride aside while she birthed a child that was not biologically his. Yet, still loved, and taught, and raised Him as his own.

We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of this season, but do we ever take the time to stop and really think about what was happening during the first Christmas? It had nothing to do with buying presents, increasing debt just to buy them, stressing over paying bills vs. gifts for Christmas, trying to impress or appease or out do. Nothing like that even existed. It was pure. It was lonely. It was just them and God, and the birth of a sweet baby boy.

The angels rejoiced and worshipped. The focus was on Jesus. Yes, later the wise men brought gifts, and that is sadly the main focus for everyone now. Yes, everyone is nicer and a little friendlier at this time of the year, but everyone capitalizes on the gift giving part. Jesus is the reason for this (and every) season. This is His birthday celebration. Remember that and always keep Christ in your Christmas, for there is no Christmas without Him.

[skyecoaiart]

🌟 The Power of Visual Learning 🌟

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it couldn't be truer. 📸💬

For more, Visit

www.skyecotrio.com

[xxdeadbxtchxx]

Birds are such interesting creatures. They give you beautiful songs. They also teach you new things. I learned I’m quite a bird person.

[writingsandfandoms]

Surprise // Tagged by @twisted.word.tango for #new Tagged by @mindfulreconstruction for #momentsofreflection • • #MBS #poetry #poem #poetsofinstagram #poet #poetrycommunity #writer #words #writersofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #spilledink #instapoet #instapoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuSwF-Bmlx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m64iz48b3ant

[neurolinkinstitute]

Live streaming in the Chapel - Check! So excited to get this in place for the community. #itson #gratitude #momentsofreflection (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3FMCcLboJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[miisraelimpact]

Apostle Frederick Kenneth Charles Price has gone to be with the Lord at the age of 89. He is the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the massive Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC) South Los Angeles, California. He was a Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Presiding Prelate of CCC West and East and Chairman of CCC Board of Directors. Author, Televangelist and Radio Broadcaster for the weekly Ever Increasing Faith ministries broadcast. Rest in the bosom of the Lord. #Fredpricetransition #Eternallifenow #Pillarsoffaith #Crenshawministriesfred #Momentsofreflection #Instagrammiisrael #TobewithJESUS #officialpage_miisrael_page https://www.instagram.com/p/CLOgvxHBA9e/?igshid=1slv37byz0gf0

[thekekechanel]

Message of the day. Happy Friday! #momentsofreflection https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rjSyKpvBl/?igshid=zh41un9tcmg2

[passedwonder]

In a hectic world, it's important to find moments for reflection… @canalrivertrust might like this . #canal #bargenames #reflection #MomentsOfReflection #GrandUnionCanal #lifesbetterbywater #waterreflection #LifesWetterByWater #shipnames (at Grand Union Canal, Slough Arm) https://www.instagram.com/p/B76KhJwFfBu/?igshid=zutsnath9atx

[mydisorderstability]

This is a thinking man. Always planning our next move. And I the loyal and submissive wife await his decisions. Together, and with blessings from above, we are a dynamic couple. 👫🏾 • • Rob is reflecting on our day and our goals for our small business. Expansion? Collaboration? Oh the possibilities! So many details to work out. 💼 • • Happy Saturday, y'all. 🤗 What's you Saturday looking like?? ⤵️ • • • • #couplegoals #thinkingman #lovemyhusband #loyalwife #threefoldcord #momentsofreflection #mydisorderstability #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #wichita #kansas #smallbusiness #entrepreneurlife #dreambigworkhard #onlineboutique #ecwid_store #happysaturdayeveryone #besafeeveryone😘 (at Omni Mandalay Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1RGPfTl9rb/?igshid=1j6t2eb8hzhit

[kokobyrumbie]

It all starts from within and it's so powerful ❣🌺❣🌺❣ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #motivation #monthchallenge #makeroom #mentalhealthdaily #momentsofreflection #kokobyrumbie #lifeisprecious #laughter #lochnation #joyiscontagious #justforlaughsatreality #followyourheart #funinthesun #faithquotes #goingtothetop #women #womensupportingwomen #womensday #healthylifestyle #havingfuntogether #honestyisexpensive #foodforthought #zimbabweanbloggers #zimbabweanstyle https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuSSwkDhr9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=499ibk3vcnep

[1800deargod]

Simplicity! #pnw #pnwonderland #pnwcollective #pnwphotographer #pnwbeauty #landscapephotography #landscapes #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #nature_sultans #naturephotography #naturephoto #instagood #instagram #instanature #instanaturelover #instalike #instadaily #wildgirlimages #momentsofreflection #sunsets #sunset #sunset_hub #sunsetporn #sunsetlover

[sinojikai]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by gillian, née akinsoji (@spressiva)

In moments of sacrament, we must document our sentiment. Full video on YouTube, complete with commentary after and before. #whatarewe #shout #distress #isyours #georgefloyd #blm #blacklivesmatter #momentsofreflection #impasse #2020 #crossroads #mercy https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3oMW0AnHa/?igshid=1unkif9r0jvv2

[toniadbenas]

Marriage takes two people willing to make it work. I've gone back and forth with a few people on the topic. From a spiritual perspective, marriage is the husband and wife and God - a trifold strand that is not easily broken. So if one spouse teams together in prayer with God, does that still count as two?

Who can stand against God?! No one. The victory belongs to Jesus. So does that mean one spouse can pray and believe God, and God can restore their marriage against all odds? I mean His word says that even faith as small as a mustard seed can cause an entire mountain to be moved into the sea. Faith raised Lazarus from the dead after four days. Faith caused Noah to build an ark that protected him and his family and two of every animal on earth for 40 days and nights during a flood. Caused Abraham to believe God for a son at the age of 99. Caused Peter to walk on water.

If faith did all of that, surely faith in God can revive, renew, restore a marriage that is in shambles and on fire. Surely God can ignite the flame that causes the two to again have love for one another and fight together instead of against each other. After all, with God all things are possible. Prayer changes things. Even when we don't know how, what, where or when, we always know WHO.

[riverstonepottery]

As a busy mother and entrepreneur, I savor mornings filled with moments like this. Time to savor the warm flavors from my mug and plan my week to come. What will this week bring? #morningteatime . . . . #morningteatime☕️ #momentsofreflection #teameditation #momentstosavour #mommoments #busymommy #momentrepreneur #momentrelax #busyentrepreneur #entrepreneruship #handmadeisbest #handmademugs #lemonbalmtea #roasteddandelionroot #oattops #healingtea #nourishingfood #ilovemakingpots #roundpots #cone6 #etsylent #etsymagazine #freestylecreativeliving #amacobrent #howiamaco #potteryforall

[thekekechanel]

#momentsofreflection https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rjKsepUW3/?igshid=1h3zwrmxkx3mn

[authorlatoyamurchison]

#amwriting #Devotional #reviews #authorofinstagram ⠀ #MomentsofReflections #Devotional #humbled #ministry #sharingGodsWord #creatingmylegacy #inspires #encourage #motivation #ReadingGodsWord #books #writer #inspiration #prayer ⠀⠀⠀⠀ http://bit.ly/momentsofreflections