Our Help - Mary Letter Day 28

1 If the Lord had not 

been on our side, * 

let Israel now say; 

 2 If the Lord had not 

been on our side, * 

when enemies rose up against us; 

 3 Then would they 

have swallowed us up alive * 

in their fierce anger toward us; 

 4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us * 

and the torrent gone over us; 

 5 Then would the raging waters * 

have gone right over us. 

 6 Blessed be the Lord! * 

he has not given us over 

to be a prey for their teeth. 

 7 We have escaped like a bird 

from the snare of the fowler; * 

the snare is broken, and we have escaped. 

 8 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, * 

the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124

Dear Mama,

This city is a place of anxiety and fears. Soldiers are all around and there have been rumors in the streets that trouble is coming. We don't know where from or to whom, but folks are suggesting that we be very cautious. Joseph finally has an appointment to finalize all of his paperwork. It took a good deal of wrangling and some money paid under the table as well. I did not expect this filthy and worried place and didn't expect so much corruption and outright manipulation. Joseph wants to get home right away, even though this is his family town. He doesn't feel safe here. We would be on our way today if not for the legal work. And, the wise women prohibit me from traveling until they feel I am healed enough to do so. They have really been very kind, but also, incredibly strict and sometimes outright bossy.

Our little boy is a wonder, Mama. He gurgles and smiles, reaching for us with his sweet arms. He is a ravenous eater, and I often am drained in a short time. He sleeps well, though, and wakes us loudly when he is hungry. I have been out several times with him during the past few days. Now, it seems, with all the turmoil on the streets, we must be more careful than before. We are considered strangers and therefore possible trouble. There are so many strangers, who have flooded the city because of the census, that the locals are edgy, distrustful and some are outright frightened. A little spark would cause great unrest. So we lay low, recite our psalms and prayers, and trust that God will preserve us. I have found comfort in the ancient words, "our help is in the Name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."  Joseph often sings our baby to sleep with that old song, and I often doze off when he sings so sweetly. We have to trust God, Mama, since we have a precious treasure to protect. Pray for us and give our love to Papa.

Love,

Mary