For years I’ve complained.

Whined. Argued. Questioned. Even pouted in a corner with a generous bottom lip turned out from time to time. I’d imagined my life simpler. Planned it up big and beautiful, absent of most every complication and hiccup, with life’s every “i” dotted and “t” crossed. But then this and that happened, interrupting my imaginings of simplicity with something far more messy.

By the way, I don’t do “messy” well. I’m much more comfortable with neat rows of “perfect” and nice stacks of “predictable.” Messy is … well, a mess.

I picture Mary as someone who longed for the simplicity of family life, as well. Taking long walks dreaming up her future, imagining the man she’d one day marry and the children she’d one day birth. But then a Messenger of Heaven came with a messy memo. And Mary’s dream of a simple life vanished before the vision of angel did.

Here’s where my similarities with Mary end. For while I chose to pout and whine, Mary resolved to accept it.

“I am the Lord’s servant … May it be to me as you have said.” ~ Luke 1:38

Though Mary experienced the privilege of giving birth to the Son of God, she never tasted the simplicity of an ordinary life. From the first moment sparks of divine life took shape in her womb, Mary faced visiting strangers, threatening kings, gossiping neighbors, questioning church leaders, whispering friends, and more responsibility than two young shoulders are equipped to carry.

“I am the Lord’s servant … May it be to me as you have said.”

Resolved worship from a submitted heart primed her for a messy life.

“Perfect” and “predictable” were no longer a part of the equation. But I doubt she viewed it as her equation at all. It was GOD’S equation to resolve, and she believed He would make the math work.

And that’s the secret to finding peace in a messy life: Allowing the Prince of Peace to dot all “i’s” and cross all “t’s.”

Even if it takes two arms and the beam of a cross.

Ahh. The perfect plan for a messy people.