But never forget, it is a favor, a free gift of grace. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. I would wager that you have discovered in your own life that grace does not always come with a welcome face. The highest and most precious gifts of God do not always come to us in attractive colors. Grace can perplex.
Grace can frighten.
The grace of healing may have the face, of a hypodermic needle or a surgeon's knife. The grace of patience may have the face of pain. The grace of humility may have the face of defeat. O, how we need to learn from Mary not to lash out at God for the frightening forms of grace. God will often make it plain.