It’s Time!

Helen Francis

A long time ago, in the lead up to Christmas, I first heard the song 'Mary, did you know?' - a beautiful song that sent me on a path of study to find out exactly how much Mary did know.

Based on what I read in Luke chapter 2 (and with verse 19: “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” as my inspiration) I wrote the following poem.

It's a significant poem to me as it was the first time I consciously invited God to inspire me, so that I wouldn't misrepresent anything, and what was revealed in the last lines astonished me.

Whether she is conscious of it or not, the timing of the start of Jesus ministry falls to Mary, and it’s only His obedience as a son that makes it happen:

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.
Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
(John 2: 1-5)

Here's the poem, entitled: “Woman, what have I to do with you?”

All the time He grew
Wonder hid beneath the skin.
Perhaps His mother knew,
suspected strength so great within,
that whilst she held Him near,
she held her breath in fear,
both for herself and Him.

It started to breakthrough,
around the time boys become men.
She'd heard the women say again,
“He's so like his papa!”
Behind closed eyes she saw a star...
‘It's going to happen then?!’
They'd both had to turn back,
when days of searching found Him gone.
Papa on the attack,
“How could He mess about so long!?”

She smiled inside to find Him there,
of course, He didn't turn a hair,
as if it could be wrong,
to be inside His father's house,
with those who loved His father's name!
The door of childhood seemed to close...
‘Nothing, now will be the same.’
She watched and waited from that hour,
gauging His increasing power,
not daring to suppose.

What was it now, about this wine
that made her break her silent vow?
Did she sense something true, divine,
had whispered to her “Now!”?

“Do what He says, He'll help: my son...”
“Woman, my hour has not come!”
“It has...it has...it's time!”
(F.H.S.2001)

All throughout the Bible, we see people who appear to be in the background being chosen for pivotal tasks. Never underestimate what God may be choosing you to do.