It is hard to be patient when eagerly waiting for something. The anticipation builds until it is nearly palatable.
Imagine the prophetess, Anna, who had waited so many years to see the Messiah. She had only been married for 7 years when she was widowed. At the age of 84, if she married at 15, she was 62 years a widow. She lived at the temple. She spent her days fasting, praying, and waiting. She found her strength, refuge, and home in God's house. Her story was not over.
"Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem." -Luke 2:36-38
Imagine overhearing the conversation between Simeon, Joseph, and Mary. She broke out in praise. What does that look like at 84 years of age? I imagine she had plenty of spring in her step as she came face to face with the Good News of promises and prophecies fulfilled.
Mary and Joseph were essentially on a "business trip" to the temple to do what was required of them by the law. Jesus would have been about 33 days old. They never expected two affirmations and two recognitions of sweet baby Jesus as the Messiah. They knew, but it must have been reassuring to hear someone else say it.
Anna's close walk with the Lord gave her vision and insight. What joy and hope she must have felt! I cannot imagine she did not touch the baby. Perhaps, she even held him. What a glorious day at the temple. She could not help but talk about the baby.
Today, I am grateful for Anna's example.
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