Today, as we are nearing the end of the Lenten season we celebrate the Annunciation of our Lord to Mary and her willingness to say yes. When we read the story in scripture it makes it sound as if her response was immediate. There was some pondering of course but no significant amount of time lapse; no altar ego voices battling out across her shoulders or time to call up a life line to ask a close friend “what do you think about this….?” Mary accepted the message for what it was – a blessing from God. If I heard from God as clearly as I believe Mary heard God that solemn evening, I’d like to think that my response would be a quick one as well. Although I can’t remember ever having that privilege, I have learned that we believers should always be listening for God even it we are not ready to accept what he needs us to hear. No doubt, in a world of temporal stimuli getting to “yes” can be challenging but with God all things are possible.  Thank you God for in both the good and difficult times in our lives we are reminded in this season of Lent that through Mary’s “quick” response we too have found favor even as we continue to ponder your Word in our own lives.