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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.

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Started off the early morning at the @cityofrefugeatl 5K!!! It was my first one and I had a blast and met some new people. It was cold, but totally worth it!!!! Can't wait to do another one! How are you making your dash count today?! #ToniaDBenas #LightHopeTransformation #CityOfRefuge https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8NrEAu-kZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Jesus fasted for 40 days and grew closer to God in an effort to fulfill His purpose. If He gave His whole life for us, surely we can devote ours to Him. Pick one thing that you can refrain from for the next 40 days to draw closer to God, and become all that He created you to be. His peace is unlike any other, and can only be found in Him. #ToniaDBenas #TheJourneyOfYou #DaughterOfTheKing https://www.instagram.com/p/Co9q7OWuTNf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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❤️🥰 #CourtneyJR #ManOfValor https://www.instagram.com/p/Cosoz4uPxDg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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New podcast episode available everywhere you listen to podcasts! If we aren't on your platform of choice, let us know so that we can add it! In today's episode, we talk about No Greater Love, and God's definition of love. Check it out: Https://the-journey-of-you.captivate.fm/listen #ToniaDBenas #TheJourneyOfYou #NoGreaterLove #JesusLovesYouAlways https://www.instagram.com/p/CopOaPXO-Tt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Listening to "A collision with vision" today by Pastor Michael Todd of Transformation church, and I found this that he said so profound, that "you have to stop giving everything to something that will never fulfill you!" We already know that God formed us and gave us purpose and plans even before He placed us in our mother's wombs, and everything that you need for the vision is already in you. So if you're having to toil or fight or be deceitful, or trying to make something work, trying to make it happen; that's usually a dead giveaway that it's not the thing that God intended for you to do. It may be comfortable. It may be what you know already and what you're used to doing, but is it really what you were created to do; and what's gonna fulfill the purpose that God placed in you when He formed you in your mother's womb? Think on that today. This is your journey. Where your life begins. #ToniaDBenas #TheJourneyOfYou #PurposePrevails What did God call you to do? https://www.instagram.com/p/CoZ29bAOmZl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This week we sat down with Rene'te Washington, Licensed Counselor and Founder of Refined Beginnings Counseling. Rene'te tells us about how she found her purpose in counseling others, and how she longs to help women, especially women of color (black and brown communities), understand who they are, and the steps they need to take to fully become who they were created to be. She has over seventeen years of experience in the field, and she has served in several of the places that you either have been in or are currently dealing with right now. She emphasizes that mental health starts with ME. You are important and so is your mental health. You can connect with her on IG or FB @refinedbeginnings, and you can learn more about her and the other two the in her office at: https://www.refinedbeginningscounseli.... She is currently licensed to help clients in person or via telehealth in Georgia, telehealth in Florida, and soon to add on South Carolina as well. Prioritize your mental health. Prioritize you. It is never too late to become a better version of you. Https://the-journey-of-you.captivate.fm/listen https://www.instagram.com/p/CoZY4AIuYdm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Headed to Baseball ⚾️ practice and his basketball 🏀 game! Let's go!!! #Courten #SaturdayAfternoons #Sports #Love #GodFirst https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnr5svlO2HL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Still trying to decide on a good devotional to start your day off right and shift your mindset in this season? This is the one for you! Readers are already enjoying it and becoming a better version of themselves. You could be, too! Order yours today - right now! https://www.amazon.com/Infectious-1-Tonia-Benas-ebook/dp/B0BRHHHQZD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G2YKFPYQ2S22&keywords=tonia+d+benas+infectious&qid=1672759967&sprefix=tonia+d+benas+infectiou%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-1 #ToniaDBenas #Author #Infectious #JustBeYou #DaughterOfTheKing https://www.instagram.com/p/CnmLoqOOFu-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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A new podcast episode is available! This week we sat down with Coach Bridget Lynch, of In The Light Coaching to discuss her journey of life, her discovery of purpose and the gems she has learned along the way. You can listen to the audio, or watch the video on YouTube. https://the-journey-of-you.captivate.fm/episode/in-the-light-letting-go-of-guilt-shame https://youtu.be/qNDhkmV4t8c #ToniaDBenas #TheJourneyOfYou #Podcast https://www.instagram.com/p/CnjzE83ueot/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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My baby is headed to a party. He is so handsome. And so chill. #CourtneyJR #15 #ManOfValor https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnafip_PLS0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Braids, laundry, basketball 🏀 game - #Courten dropped 18 points today!!!! Busy and productive day. And 🌞 sunshine outside!!!!! Yeah!!!!! 🎉🎊❤️🥰 #19 #MimisBaby #Tyson #SaturdayMornings How are you making your dash count? #MOMentsThatMatter https://www.instagram.com/p/CnaRD2iPDEk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The baby sister!!!! Love her lots ❤️ 💕 💖 @vic_a_lic #SisterTime #MorningShenanigans https://www.instagram.com/p/CnRyfUwOlwG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Doctor's office fun! #Tyson and #MiMi #TysonDaniel #TDB2 #MimisBaby https://www.instagram.com/p/CnRyOBKuxvs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Um, can time slow down just a bit?!!! Why does my youngest look so big?!!! 😫 He is about to turn 9 later this month. Whoa! #Courten 🥰❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNS-ClPqeo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=