From Ordinary Water to Overflowing Joy
Day 2: Family Ties—When Mom Nudges You
📖 Scripture Reading: John 2:3-5 (NLT)
"The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”
A Mother’s Nudge
I love the way families work. There’s an unspoken language between loved ones, a way of communicating with just a glance. My wife, Gail, doesn’t have to say much—one look, and I know I better take out the trash, help with the dishes, or be on my best behavior when we have guests over.
Mothers, in particular, have a way of nudging their children toward action. Maybe it’s a gentle push to apply for a job, a knowing glance that means, you need to apologize, or a whispered prayer over a child they believe in—sometimes before that child believes in themselves.
That’s what happens in Cana. The wedding feast is in full swing, but then comes the crisis: The wine is gone. The joy is running out. And while most guests might not have noticed just yet, Mary saw the problem.
And she knew exactly who could fix it.
She turns to Jesus, her son, and says, “They have no more wine.”
This wasn’t just a mother making small talk. She was nudging Jesus, urging Him toward something bigger than the moment at hand.
When Jesus Says, "Not Yet"
At first, Jesus' response seems hesitant.
"Dear woman, that’s not our problem… My time has not yet come."
It sounds almost like a refusal, doesn’t it? But Mary doesn’t argue. She doesn’t beg. She doesn’t explain why it matters.
She simply turns to the servants and says, “Do whatever He tells you.”
What a picture of faith! She knew Jesus. She had carried Him in her womb, rocked Him to sleep, watched Him grow into a man. She wasn’t trying to manipulate Him—she was recognizing the truth of who He was and trusting in what He would do.
And because of her faith, the first recorded miracle of Jesus’ public ministry was set into motion.
Who Has Nudged You?
Sometimes, God places people in our lives who see more in us than we see in ourselves. They recognize the calling, the potential, the work God is preparing us for—even when we don’t feel ready.
Maybe it was a teacher who encouraged you when you felt inadequate.
Maybe it was a parent who prayed over you when you strayed.
Maybe it was a mentor, a pastor, a friend who spoke truth when you needed direction.
God often uses the voices of others to nudge us toward His purpose.
And sometimes, like Jesus, we respond, "Not yet. It’s not time."
But what if it is?
What if the moment we keep waiting for—the perfect time, the perfect set of circumstances, the perfect feeling of readiness—never comes? What if, like Mary, God is calling us to take a step of faith now?
Reflection & Journaling Prompt
- Who in your life has given you a “holy nudge”? Think of someone who saw potential in you and encouraged you toward a step of faith.
- Have you ever resisted that nudge, telling yourself “not yet”? What held you back?
- Is there something right now that God (or maybe someone He has placed in your life) is urging you to step into? Write about it honestly—your fears, your hesitations, and your hopes.
📝 Write it down. Let this be a moment where you acknowledge God’s gentle push toward something greater.
A Simple Prayer for Today
Lord, thank You for the people You place in my life to encourage me toward Your will. Help me to recognize when You are calling me to step forward, even when I don’t feel ready. Give me faith like Mary—to trust that when You lead, You provide. Amen.
Final Thought
Faith often begins with a simple nudge. It’s not always about feeling 100% ready; it’s about trusting the One who calls us forward. Today, be aware of the voices of encouragement in your life—and ask God to give you the courage to take the next step.
🌿 Tomorrow’s Devotional: "Little Things, Big Miracles—Water-to-Wine Metaphors"