Joseph took Mary as his wife; together they set out for the town of Bethlehem. Mary jostled along riding on the donkey. Joseph led the animal as carefully as he could. It was the beginning of their journey together and what a journey it would be. They were just a young couple, struggling together, worrying about the baby who was about to come. Mary’s baby would soon arrive in an innkeeper’s stable, but angels would proclaim his birth! There is no way Mary and Joseph could have ever imagined the life he would lead or the death he would suffer. They would know moments of great joy and there would be moments of profound sorrow. Their journey was just beginning.

Each of us is on a journey; we travel the path set out for us. For many it has already been a lengthy journey, for others the road is still new. We have experienced both joy and sorrow; we know that gladness and grief will both color the years ahead. And, like Mary and Joseph, we cannot know where the coming days will lead. Each day we just cling to the love of our heavenly Father. Each day we ask that He guide our footsteps, for each day our journey begins anew.

Wherever your footsteps lead today, God walks with you. Whatever joys or sorrows the day may bring, God blesses you with his presence.  He sees, He understands, He holds you close.  In Romans chapter 8, Paul writes powerful words of assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.  That is our strength for the journey.  For God loves you unconditionally.

Judy (originally posted December 2017)

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39