As promised...
The Handmaid.
The story of Mary after her son's ascension to heaven, begins this second book of stories from the New Testament.
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Luke 1
Mary loved her son even before he was born. Like most
mothers, she found if she rested, fed her soul as well as her body, and made
time for reflection, the energy she received at the hand of God was more than
sufficient to carry her pregnancy even at the last.
Though she was not
always treated kindly as a young girl by her friends because of her timidity,
as she grew, she discovered the wisdom in this. If she had something to say,
she would say it, and others would listen. Her mother and father treated her
kindly, and her brother and sisters spoke well of her. Her family didn’t have
much in the way of worldly goods, but they had each other, and that’s what
mattered.
Mary had learned about
God at a young age, and, like most girls had been shown her place in Jewish
society. She respected this place, though she often thought about being equal
to the young boys with whom she associated. It wasn’t until Mary grew that she
began to see the truth of the matter.
When the angel came,
Mary was at first surprised as anyone would be. But her heart calmed as she
spoke with the angel. She wasn’t alone. Others walked passed her, but she could
not hear their voices. It was like she’d been brought to heaven while still
kneeling on the earth.
“Hail, thou that art
highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women,” the angel
began.
She was amazed. Not only
at the bright clothing the angel wore but the manner in which he saluted her.
“Fear not, Mary: for
thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and
shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for
ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
“How shall this be,
seeing I know not a man?” she asked after a moment of reflection.
“The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of
God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her
old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with
God nothing shall be impossible.”
The words of the angel
spoke volumes of love to Mary’s soul. How could she doubt what God could do?
Her heart burned as the words came: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it
unto me according to thy word.”
She’d gone to see
Elisabeth after the departure of the angel, and the truth she’d known even
before her arrival there became a second witness. Truly God could do all
things.
Her son was born six months
later, and they named him Jesus as the angel had spoken.
He was a beautiful baby.
As his chubby hands reached for her face, she would kiss them, and speak to
Jesus of God’s love. He grew into a good, kind, son. He was always thinking of
her, teaching her the ways of God. And as he continued into manhood and her husband,
Joseph, left the earth and returned heavenward, Jesus was a great comfort to
her in her loneliness. The first few months after Joseph’s passing, He consoled
her, His loving arms surrounding her, His voice soothing her aching soul.
By the time of Jesus’
crucifixion, she’d made His teachings a part of her life. She knew the truth of
the resurrection. He was here! They’d eaten together at his arrival, and He’d
shown her the marks of the nails in His hands and feet. She’d touched His side
– the babe she had carried in her womb. He lived!
At first, she thought He’d
returned for good. But then the news had come. His teachings were nearing an
end. He had many things to do, to help His father. Not Joseph – He smiled as
he’d spoken it – but His Father in Heaven.
She dared not ask if He’d
seen her Joseph, but Jesus seemed to know her thoughts.
“I have seen many loved
ones. And others are waiting to hear the gospel. Missionaries have been sent to
the waiting spirits in prison.”
“Can it be so?”
“Surely, Father is well
pleased.” He took her hand in his. “And you, how are you, Mother?”
“I am not eager to have
you go,” she said.
“But the 40 days of
teaching, of preparing hearts and souls for the greater work, are almost spent.
It is time.”
“I know… And yet…”
“You will miss me, as I
will miss you. But my spirit will be here, and the gift of the Holy Ghost…”
“I know.”
“It is the greatest gift
of the Father. The Holy Ghost will teach you all things, and bring all things
to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
“Still…”
He embraced her then
and, as the tears fell, her heart ached for the separation that would soon
come. Only when she met His eyes again did she see tears in His own.
“You will always be my
mother.”
She sobbed then, huge
gushing tears, and He held her tighter.
“It is more blessed to
give than to receive,” words given over an outdoor fire some two weeks past, filled
her soul long after Jesus had ascended to heaven. How could she give now that
He was gone?
Her children spent time near her; her
grandchildren pulled at her skirt for attention, and she had given it. At home,
it wasn’t difficult. When she was away from home, that’s when giving became
more difficult. But she would do it.
For weeks, she dreamed
of her son. And as the months passed and the dreams dwindled, a softening
returned, and she was able to live again. She hadn’t experienced the
transfiguration for herself, but Peter, James, and John had spoken of it often.
They had seen Jesus, her very son, as he looked in his glorified state. As she
closed her eyes on those lonely nights when her children and grandchildren had
returned to their own homes, she could see Him as He was during the 40 days –
as she remembered Him.
And she was carried forward.
