Calling Elizabeth … HELP!
by Tricia Goyer
Mary,
the mother of Jesus is one of the most well-known women of all time.
She was also a teen mom facing an unplanned pregnancy. This Christmas
we will see evidence of Mary's story all around us. And as you hear it
through Christmas songs and Christmas shows think of three things:
1. Mary was signed up for a big task she wasn't prepared for.
2. Mary no doubt faced criticism from people around her.
3.
Mary found someone to turn to – a friend who could help Mary to succeed
in her new role. It was Mary's older cousin Elizabeth.
Elizabeth
played an important part in Mary's life. We know this because the book
of Luke begins by telling us Elizabeth's story first. Elizabeth was the
wife of a priest. She was very old and had no children, but God blessed
her in her old age by allowing her to get pregnant. After Elizabeth's
story comes Mary's story … another surprise pregnancy. Can you
imagine what a shock that was to everyone who knew both women? (Yes!
I'm sure you can!)
The cool thing is that the angel Gabriel told
Mary about Elizabeth's surprise pregnancy. It's as if he was saying,
"Look, there's someone in your same situation. Turn to her. She can
help you."
Mary did go to Elizabeth. In fact she lived with her
older cousin for three months. Elizabeth was the first one who rejoiced
over the child Mary held within her womb, and I imagine Elizabeth was
there to encourage Mary as she coped with the idea of becoming a teen
mom.
Like Mary, each of us should have people in our lives who
we turn to for help, support and encouragement. Being a mom isn't an
easy thing, and facing an unplanned pregnancy is even tougher.
When
I had my son Cory I was 17-years-old, and there were a group of women
from my grandma's church who supported me. They were the first ones who
showed me that the child that was growing inside me was a gift. They
gave me a baby shower, and they fought over holding my son after he was
born.
As my son grew, there were other women I looked to … and
most of the time they didn't even know I was watching. One of them was
Cheryl. Cheryl was patient with her children, she gave them big hugs,
she laughed with them and played with them and I modeled myself after
her. The thing about finding mentors is sometimes we can observe them
without them even knowing. And if we're really lucky they enjoy their
role of giving us advice.
Later, when I had two kids, I met a
friend named Cindy. She and I were the same age and we became quick
friends. Cindy was a support to me because we traded babysitting,
talked about parenting problems, and we encouraged each other. She was
someone who was walking the same road as me, and her advice helped more
times than I can count.
No matter who we are, or where we live,
each of us can look around and see the people we have in our lives.
Some may cheer us on, some may guide our parenting, and others may just
be there to walk along side us. If the mother of Jesus needed someone
to look to for support … shouldn't we? Everyone needs someone to
provide a little help and support.
Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-one books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life Un
Scripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime.
She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and
was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's
Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was
a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels,
Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications
like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a
regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop
presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International
Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of
Montana. Connect with Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All
you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here.
Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!