Luke 1:28 (TPT) Gabriel appeared to (Mary) and said, “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you and so you are anointed with great favor.”
My grandchildren know they have my favor—it shines through everything I do from greeting them with hugs and personal statements of affirmation when they come through my door, to making space in my busy life for those sacred moments when they ask questions about God. When you know you are favored, you relax and let go of trying to make good impressions. When you feel favor, you know someone is sponsoring you, mentoring you, opening the way before you. God favors us, His children. Mary would need that sense of God’s affirmation to hold her steady in in unsteady days ahead of her. When you know the Lord is with you and you are walking in His favor, it is easier to walk courageously through life’s challenges. What challenge are you facing? Are you walking in the Lord’s favor (see Deuteronomy 11)?