Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matt 1:19

In my Bible, there is commentary on this verse. It says, "He [Joseph] would sign the necessary papers but not have her judged publicly and stoned." (NIV Study Bible page 1441)Mary's unusual predicament must have been unreal to Joseph. As much as he cared for her, he did not quite believe her story about being impregnated by the Holy Spirit. In fact, perhaps one of the reasons he wanted to do this quietly is because he thought she was obviously not quite right in the head. I mean, from his point of view, this had to be one of the most creative stories ever dreamed up by anyone, anywhere to explain what appeared to be an obvious, cut and dried case of adultery. So, why didn't he do the manly thing of the time to save his honor? Why didn't he have her taken away and stoned? Because Joseph was in tune with God, and felt the gentle stir of the Holy Spirit in this matter. He was correct.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son and you are to give Him the Name of Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Matt 1:20-21
There are times in our Christian walk where we wander the parched desert, desperatly searching for just one drink of water. There are other times when our walk with God is so close, He seems to be whispering in our ear. We almost see His Form walking beside us. What usually sets these times apart for me is trust. Trust that He will come through. Trust that He really is there. Trust that His Way of doing things is infinitely superior to mine. While I read about Joseph, and the trust that made him wait for God to speak instead of making a rash decision, I was reminded of a time where God lead me, literally to the doorstep of a friend.
I had not seen this friend for a few years. She and I had been part of an inseparable group in high school. Through time and circumstance, we had drifted apart. She was now married with two children. And the only thing I knew about her now, was the street she lived on. I figured it would be easy to find her just knowing the street, but I was wrong. Her block was honeycombed with apartments, and I had no idea which one was hers. I prayed, and began walking. I tuned into God, listening with my heart. When I got to one set of apartments, I was sure it was hers. When I got to a certain door, I was even more certain. I knocked, and there stood my friend. God had brought me right to her door. God had brought Joseph to an understanding. From listening to God, he got to become the earthly father of the Messiah, and honor I cannot even begin to fathom. If Joseph had listened to his misgivings, Mary might have ended up a victim of religious zealotry. If I had not listened, I would have wandered fruitlessly in search of a friend I desperatley wanted to see again. Unfortunatley for me, I am not always tuned into this sort of trust, or my walk would be alot clearer and less self-propelled. God speaks. He spoke to Joseph, to Mary and even to me. And God is still speaking. Not just to the Josephs and the Marys, or even the Blyths. God is still speaking to you.

Thanks Blyth. God is speaking. The question is...Are we listening??? In the past few years, I have learned more and more to listen!! To trust and to keep my rationalizing, and fingers out of things. I tend to over analyze things so it is hard sometimes for me to LISTEN!! Thanks Blyth!!

Thank you Blyth - God is moving in your writing right now. I think your words are timely and Holy Spirit inspired. I sense God is asking us all to do a few things right now. Fellowship is one of those things. I sense God really calling the Body of Christ to strengthen the ties that bind us together. And not just with my friend at church either. I think fellowship is a key word right now.

I also think your word about really LISTENING to the Holy Spirit is important in the coming time ahead. God may be talking to us in ways we never imagined. Challenging us in ways we've never been asked to go before. Asking us to sit back and listen rather than judge. If we're out of tune, or just flat-out not listening, then we will never hear God's direction for our lives, for our churches, for our people and for the Body of Christ as a whole right now.

I think this coming year is a time of fellowship and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit (listening).

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."