“’Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God!’” Luke 1:30 NLT.

What was it about Mary and Joseph that God would trust them with his one and only son? Mary was just a young girl who had never raised a child. And Joseph was only a carpenter. What made this couple, not even yet married, worthy to be entrusted with the most special child that would ever be born?

They did not have adequate means to provide the finer things in life. They were not well educated. They didn’t come from a powerful family and have any valuable connections. They were just a poor couple from Nazareth, which was certainly not a prestigious location. Why them?

Because God knew their hearts. They had sought him throughout their lives and cultivated a relationship with him. They were receptive to receive the angel’s message, though it was impossible to fathom.

I’m sure they made their fair share of mistakes, as all first-time parents do. They didn’t always understand him. Such as the time he remained teaching in the temple as a twelve year old boy and they didn’t know where he was. But they trusted in God, who told them that their child would be the Messiah.

I pray that God could find the same receptive heart within you and me, to hear and obey his voice. God judges by different standards: an obedient heart means far more to him than wealth or position. God looks at us with eyes that see not only who we are, but who we can be.