I had the chance to watch the LDS First Presidency Christmas devotional twice, once with my family and once with the Young Women in my ward. The church has recently put out some vignettes about the life of Christ and during the devotional they showed a few of them that told of the birth of Christ. I thought they were well done, but I also felt more.
I really felt the love that Heavenly Father has for his daughters.
A few months before the angel appeared to tell Mary of her upcoming pregnancy, He visited Zacharias and told him that Elizabeth, Mary's much older childless cousin, would also become pregnant with a special baby (John the Baptist). While I understand that the purpose of John the Baptist was to help prepare the way for Jesus, I felt as I watched these vignettes that the pregnancy of Elizabeth was also a way for Mary to receive support and comfort and understanding from a woman she loved. Mary's pregnancy may very well have felt a little isolating but Heavenly Father provided a woman she knew and loved who would also undergo a miraculous pregnancy during the same time. I had just never thought of it in quite that way before.
I have some good friends who are pregnant right now, too, and we take great enjoyment and comfort in discussing how we are feeling, what we are excited about and afraid of and the various other questions and thoughts that come with being pregnant. My cousin, Rachelle, and I are due at practically the same time and I know that I am grateful to have someone to talk to who is right there with me and who never tires of "pregnancy talk" because it is current and important to her, too. I believe that women need other women--not just during pregnancy-- and I feel like the shared experience of Mary and Elizabeth demonstrates yet again how well our Heavenly Father knows, understands, loves, and provides for his daughters.
3 comments:
I also felt loved this month as I thought of Mary. I was having a bad night and told Mike I must have been a very lowly spirit in the pre-existence to have to go through this trial so I could grow and learn. But then I thought of Mary and how she had to watch her son die--and went through so much more too--and surely she was NOT a lowly spirit in the pre-existence. She must have been loved and qualified to be the mother of the Savior or God would not have sent him to her. So, I guess when I think of it that way it helps me recognize that just because this is an awful trial, it doesn't mean I am being punished and that God doesn't love me. I'm sure it's the opposite.
I hope you are feeling well. I was just thinking about that night I had my first migraine and didn't know what was wrong with me. We rushed to your house and asked if you would watch Will for us while Mike took me to the hospital. I will always appreciate that you took care of him until the wee hours in the morning. I knew he was safe with you. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts!
Katie, I love your insights. I love the new book "Daughters in my Kingdom". I feel the love of my Heavenly Father & my Savior when I read it. I, too, love the story of Mary and Elizabeth and their loving support of each other. We are truly blessed to have the scriptures and the Church and family and friends to help us through our earthly experiences.
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