Mary Letter Day Four

1 How long, O Lord? will you 

   forget me for ever?

    how long will you hide 

    your face from me? 

2 How long shall I have 

    perplexity in my mind, 

  and grief in my heart, 

    day after day?

     how long shall my enemy 

    triumph over me? 

3 Look upon me and answer me, 

    O Lord my God;

  give light to my eyes,

     lest I sleep in death; 

4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"

  and my foes rejoice that I have fallen. 

5 But I put my trust in your mercy;

  my heart is joyful because of your saving help. 

6 I will sing to the Lord, 

    or he has dealt with me richly; 

    I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

     Psalm 13

Dear Mama and Papa,

I have made it safely to Aunt Elizabeth's home. Joseph drove the cart carefully and well. We had much time to talk, and he shared with me the dream he had. An angel spoke to him in a dream and told him that I was carrying the son of the most high. The angel told Joseph to not be afraid and to protect us in every way possible. Despite everything he wishes to marry me! I told him of my dreams, especially the one where the angel told me not to be afraid that God was with me. We both laughed and admitted we are still terrified!

I know all of this is so very hard for you. You have been so loving and supportive throughout my life. And this put you in danger as well as me. And I know, somehow, some way, our Lord will use this for the good of many. I appreciate you giving me time with Auntie. She has already cheered me up and made me laugh. She kidded about how the Lord had silenced her husband. And she too is afraid, because of her age and all. Yet she has really been encouraging me and teaching me what I need to know. 

Joseph should have returned by now. I think he will want to make wedding arrangements with you. It will have to be done quietly. And Papa, I hope you will be kind to him. He's scared and worried that he is taking on more than he can handle. Pray for us, please. I need you love and support now more than ever.

love,

Mary

Mary Letter Day Three

1 Happy are they whose 

    way is blameless,

   who walk in the law of the Lord! 

2 Happy are they who

 observe his decrees

  and seek him with all their hearts! 

3 Who never do any wrong, 

  but always walk in his ways. 

4 You laid down your commandments,

  that we should fully keep them. 

5 Oh, that my ways were 

    made so direct

  that I might keep your statutes!

6 Then I should not be put to shame,

   when I regard all your                 commandments.

7 I will thank you with an 

    unfeigned heart, 

  when I have learned 

your righteous judgments.

8 I will keep your statutes; 

   do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119:1-8

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

I did a very hard thing last night. I told Mama and Papa about my situation, promising I had never been with a man. They immediately called for Joseph, who was shocked at the news. Auntie, he's a good man and very kind, but I could see the anger and confusion on his face. He said very little, leaning back while Papa fired question after question at me. I felt like a naughty child. I tried to explain about my dreams and how an angel of the Lord told me that Yahweh has made a miracle of me and the child, to bring peace and love to the world. Papa tried to believe me but finally burst out with, "but girls don't have prophetic dreams, angels don't visit girls, and our God does not talk directly to women!" I couldn't hold back the tears. It was awful. 

I was up early this morning, at first light, to go sit by the water and pray. I hadn't slept much during the night. My head was spinning, and my heart was pounding. I really didn't know what to do. I finally waded into the water to cool my spirit and draw myself close to the waters of life. Somehow it calmed me and gave me some comfort. I went back home and asked if I could take some time to visit with you and Zachariah. They were reluctant at first but the realized I would be out of their hair for a few days, and they would have time to think and pray.

I am so glad to be coming to spend time with you. The anxiety and tension at home here is more than I can bear! Thank you for opening your home to me!

Much love,

Mary

Between Heaven and Earth - Mary Letter Day Two

One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, ‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?’ He answered them, ‘I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ They discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ Luke 20:1-8

Dear Auntie Elizabeth, 

I have heard from Mama that you are with child! I am so excited for you and a little bit afraid as well. This is a blessing from heaven, of course, but it is ever so challenging on your body. I have not yet told Mama of my bodily concerns as I want her to revel in your joy. I pray you will take care of yourself and be strong. I find being out in the open air, in our garden, makes me feel less afraid. Somehow, I feel buoyed between heaven and earth, caught up in possibilities rather than all my fears. I have been sick in the garden too, where no one can see me. I have had so many vivid dreams lately. It is as if the Lord is speaking to me directly, showing me signs of hope and possibility. 

Auntie, I really don't know what to do. At some point I will have to talk with Joseph and my parents. Joseph will probably walk away from me, and my loving parents will probably send me away. Oh, I don't know what to do, Auntie, and feel like a child running back and forth. I pray all through the day and when I wake up at night. Please pray for me that our Lord will send me a way through this mess. Maybe I can come visit with you and gain courage from you.

Love,

Mary