What about Mary?

I was looking at the manger scene and I thought: "What about Mary? Imagine how things must've been for her...My lord! She was just a teen! I remember researchers saying that she could've been from fifteteen to seventeen years old when she got engaged! How did the responsibility of raising Jesus feel for her?" -wide eyes-
That left me with something to think about and to parallel with my own life.
If it were me, I know I'd freak out at all that I'd have to do and be in order to become a good mother and set the right example for Jesus. I'm sure Mary did an amazing job though, imperfect and human as she was. She was picked out from all the women of the Earth for a reason. I can imagine Mary's tears, sweat and smiles; her effort to do the best she could and the love God had placed in her heart so that she would give it out and let it spill on others. She had the Son of God to love, as well as her fellow men.
And I know that as a human, she also must've failed, like any of us. It's also a fact she was young, quite young when she was given the biggest responsibility a woman could ever have.
Then I thought about my struggle with feeling incapable and giving myself reasons of why I can't do things, why I'm not prepared, how my experience and knowledge are insufficient. These things are true though, I am insufficient, I don't know what to do or how to go about doing things. The point is that all of that doesn't matter. Contrary to logic, Jesus can use that to do anything!
Actually there's logic there: when there's less of ourselves, there's more space for Jesus to fill, take over and use to accomplish His purposes.
My mind's favorite excuses are: "I'm too young", "I have no experience", "I won't do it right" and "I'll fail". But that's because my fears are completely afraid of drowning, burning, dying and passing into oblivion as steps forward are made.
This past year I found out I can do things I thought I couldn't, and do them right! I also fail, but I can get up! I can reach my full potential and I can do the things I don't feel prepared to do, simply because if they're in front of me it means God has sent them for a reason and He's been preparing me for them.
I don't know what's ahead. I just don't want to put limitations on what I'll do and what opportunities I'll take on. I don't care if I feel small and incapable and if I must face my fears to conquer them. I don't care if the world seems to be closing in on me when I'm in the middle of a struggle, fighting for success. I'll do the best I can, that's my job. And I'll let Jesus do all that I can't, that's His job.
As far of fear of failure goes, He and I are burning that one down together.
I'd like to tell you that this last year I had the privilege of meeting glowing individuals! I watched them shine, fill the need, lead a crowd, do things they had never done before and were afraid of doing! They rose to meet the challenges in front of them. And let me tell you, it didn't matter their age! Although some were years younger than me -smiles-, you know who you are.
How many excuses we come up with doesn't really matter. We'll always have to fight them to get to where we're meant to. They're just that, "excuses" -even if I like calling them reasons.
We can't let excuses keep our potential locked in, keep us from doing all we could, keep us from meeting the people God wants us to, keep us from helping someone else. Most of all, we can't let excuses keep us from fulfilling our destiny and living a full life!
What can a young boy or girl do?
One thing is for sure, Jesus has always used the foolish things of this world.
With Jesus, we have the possibility of doing anything!

Persevere

Perseverance is all about one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time. Perseverance is refusal to give up. Even when you fall, you refuse to stay there. Even when you make a mistake, you refuse to let it hold you back. Even when you feel like a failure, you refuse to let it stop you. You get back up and try again. -Jesus

Take the lead

There are many important things in life that this movie is able to portray, I love it! Not to mention the exciting dancing. Living life with passion. I don't really remember the number of times I've watched this movie, but it's a favorite.
There is nothing that can keep you down, or hold you back unless you let it.
When you feel you're not made to do something in particular; those feelings mean nothing, unless you don't wanna do it. Otherwise you could become the best in your field! -with passionate learning.
We could have a broken life and broken dreams, none of which are beyond repair, if we wanna repair them. Dreams' wings can grow too, and there are people out there that testify to that.
There is really no set of boundaries but the ones we put on ourselves. We can be great and have great lives, doing what we like to do and doing things that matter. I know that it seems more like I still have a pick, and perhaps someone older doesn't. But then again, there are no boundaries set, no limits to what you can do or not do. You may never become the president of a country, but if that's your dream and passion and goal, you'll get there. The people that outstand in a crowd are those that do what they wanna do with all their hearts, against all odds. Be it become a musician, find a lost love, open an orphanage, run in a marathon, raise a strong family, become the best you can be.