Mary Letter, Day Eight

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

 my God, I put my trust in you; * 

let me not be humiliated, 

nor let my enemies triumph over me. 

 2 Let none who look 

to you be put to shame; * 

let the treacherous be 

disappointed in their schemes. 

 3 Show me your ways, O Lord, * 

and teach me your paths. 

 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * 

for you are the God of my salvation; 

in you have I trusted all the day long. 

 5 Remember, O Lord, 

your compassion and love, * 

for they are from everlasting. 

 6 Remember not the sins of

 my youth and my transgressions; *

 remember me according to your love 

and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. 

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; * 

therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 

 8 He guides the humble in doing right * 

and teaches his way to the lowly. 

 9 All the paths of the Lord 

are love and faithfulness *

 to those who keep his covenant 

and his testimonies. 

 10 For your Name's sake, O Lord, * 

forgive my sin, for it is great. 

 11 Who are they who fear the Lord? * 

he will teach them the way

 that they should choose. 

 12 They shall dwell in prosperity, * 

and their offspring shall inherit the land. 

 13 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him * 

and will show them his covenant. 

 14 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, * 

for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

 15 Turn to me and have pity on me, * 

for I am left alone and in misery. 

 16 The sorrows of my heart have increased; * 

bring me out of my troubles. 

 17 Look upon my adversity and misery * 

and forgive me all my sin. 

 18 Look upon my enemies, for they are many, * 

and they bear a violent hatred against me. 

 19 Protect my life and deliver me; * 

let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. 

 20 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, * 

for my hope has been in you. 

 21 Deliver Israel, O God, *

 out of all his troubles. Psalm 25

Dear Auntie,

I am besides myself. Just when I thought we were settling in and life was settling down, Joseph got a tax summons and now we have to go to Bethlehem! This occupying government, these Romans, are ridiculous. We are the people of this land, the Indigenous ones, yet they have set up rules and ways of living that are counter to all we do and believe in. We now have to figure out how to go to Bethlehem to be registered, and, get back in time to give birth. Rumors are flying that the roads are already crowded with travelers who are scrambling to get to their registration places. Mama and Papa are a wreck, as you can imagine.

The child within me grows bigger by the minute. Walking, sitting and standing have all become very awkward.  Joseph, despite this horrific set back, has remained very calm. He assures me that he has plenty of family in Bethlehem that will house and care for us, and that the journey will not be too taxing. He says he's done it more times than he can count. Well, he's never done this with a pregnant wife, I imagine! We have much to do to prepare for this journey. Papa is afraid the men who attacked us before will seek us out in the road. He and Joseph are mapping out our route as we speak. Mama is cooking like crazy so we have plenty of food for the trip. I feel unwieldy and useless! 

Please pray for us, Auntie! I have been praying with the psalms as you taught me which has been a help. I still feel quite scared and anxious, I will admit. I pray the Lord to guide us and keep us safe.

Much love,

Mary