She was pregnant, most likely, the first few days. In the beginning, it isn’t always obvious, that is, if the morning sickness is not too apparent. She must have woken up early enough to walk all the way to the next Town before the Sun came up. And since she was going to stay a while, she also needed to carry her little suitcase.
This was an important trip. She was told that her cousin was in a similar situation as she is. She processed all she had been told until they became strong inclinations as to what to do. She was not flippant and casual about the things that mattered. She knew she had to see this through.
Interestingly, as she arrived, she didn’t have to do much. Her presence was all that was required to trigger the answer she was looking for. According to the story, her cousin Lizzy, started to ‘manifest’ as soon as she saw her. In just about four sentences, Lizzy addressed the whole matter in her heart; answered all the questions that she had concerning this matter, just as if it was all planned. It was, actually.
She was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary seemed to know the gravity of being a caretaker for God. She understood that it was not to do with her desires or ideas, but strictly on divine instructions. She knew to carefully follow directions. She seemed to be in the habit of taking things in nuggets and dissecting them in order to get a better sense. No wonder the Angel did not have to do long sessions with her before she understood the serious assignment that she had been given.
Such an attitude made her take it seriously when the Angel referred to Elizabeth, her cousin. Instead of brushing it aside, she took time to ponder upon, and understand it. What was it with God and Elizabeth? What could she get out of that understanding? How was she linked with it? She was not going to blunder considering the child in her care!
The baby in Elizabeth’s womb jumped as Mary carried Jesus into the room.
So many interpretations have been offered; Someone said John the Baptist was initiated right then. We may not be exact, but one thing is clear, something ‘requisite’ happened there. Mary knew this caretaker job was about destiny and as such, she had to be careful about every transaction on the way. She had to ensure the right transactions took place to ignite the necessary outcomes. She would follow every leading from the Holy Spirit, even when it was not explicit.
Like Mary, I’m beginning to see that this parenting matter is really more about ushering destinies. That is, teaching, enabling and supporting destiny transactions through the whole journey of the children’s lives.
It is beyond labouring to reap the glory when they grow up. It is really being one of the conduits through which God realizes His plans in the life of the children (aka destiny). And so, if you have two children, then you have three destinies to deliver (yours + two).
Lord, seeing that I have no power on my own to even deliver on my own destiny, how then can I deliver on these three wonderful assignments, you have handed me. I need help to understand this, help to know my source, help to step aside for Your will to prevail, help not to be a distraction to your pre planned transactions, help to…
Grace, O Lord!