Exceptional Mothers
Thursday, December 12, 2024
by: Carol Powell
holy is his name.
Luke 1:49
A young teenaged Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. Both are pregnant under extraordinary circumstances. As soon as Mary arrives, both Elizabeth and her unborn child recognize they are in the presence of holiness and are filled with the Holy Spirit. When Elizabeth, as the Angel who came to Mary also observed, told Mary she was blessed among women, Mary responds with her song.
Not much more than a child herself, she recognizes her singular place in the world and sees it for the incredible privilege it is. She knows her child will change the course of history, that he will turn traditional thinking upside down, bringing down rulers and lifting up the humble. She knows her son will be fulfilling God’s promise to her people.
And her grateful acceptance of the weighty gift God has bestowed on her will also bring her anguish and shame. For the rest of her days in her town of 300, her son will be labeled illegitimate. He will die an agonizing death, misunderstood and ridiculed.
I think of some of the exceptional mothers I have known: my own mother, who quietly and bravely stood up for civil rights in the sixties, who loved each of her 4 children unconditionally. My younger friend with the blended family, who is busy from morning until night, taking the time to make each child feel unique and seen and loved. My youngest brother, who raised 3 exceptional children on his own. I think of my own “mothering” role; though I have no children of my own, I know there are many precious children who’ve known my love. Yet none of this love compares to the love a simple child from a tiny nowhere town has given to her God when He asked so much of her.
It really doesn’t matter our age or gender or parental status as we ponder Mary’s words; what matters is what we take from her absolute obedience when called upon. At this advent season, may we listen for God’s voice. May we recognize the significance of His words and accept the things He asks of us with the joy, obedience and humility of Mary, the brave and blessed mother of our Christ.
Father in heaven,
You inspired in Mary the desire to be a woman of two worlds,
a sister to her human family through Elizabeth,
and a mother to the whole world through her son Jesus Christ.
Help us to be inspired like Mary to see our lives
in the way that Mary saw hers,
that our lives can both be passionately devoted to our family
and also a solemn gift for the whole world.
Amen.
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