“Be Not Afraid”
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“Be not afraid.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d played Mary and heard those words from the lips of the angel with a baptismal robe and cardboard wings. (One time, I’d even played the angel.)
But it was the first time I’d acted the part since joining the drama troupe, since learning there was more to being a character on stage than just saying lines. I knew I had to get “into character”, to literally feel as if I were Mary—not on that stage, but in that garden 2,000 years ago. The Mary who was truly afraid, truly in need of the angel’s words: “Be not afraid.”
In my quest to get into character, I turned to Marjorie Holmes’ book Two from Galilee. Through its pages, I lived the love story of Mary and Joseph. I understood as never before the conflicting fears that might have been in Mary’s heart. Would the man she loved still want her? Would he even believe her?
As a girl in love myself, I could grasp the fear and anguish Mary would feel about telling Joseph. As a single teen committed to purity, I contemplated the unbearable shame and bitterness of an unwed pregnancy.
And that year, I played Mary as never before. That year, I acted, I believed, the part. As much as a girl could who had never cherished a child in her womb.
Then came the second autumn of marriage to the man I loved. My swollen belly attested to the fact that I was due with a December baby. As I made a few meager attempts to decorate, I ate Christmas cookies like they were going out of style. And my thoughts were on the passages we were reading from Luke: Elizabeth’s praises, Mary’s song.
The joy mixed with fear, the jubilation mixed with hesitation—the emotions of an expectant mother. Yet for the most part, I was all smiles, all praises, as we approached the Advent season looking for the arrival of our first child.
“Be not afraid.” The words of the angel spoke straight to my heart, more with each subsequent pregnancy.
When a woman finds out she has a precious little one growing inside of her, the fierce love she feels for her child is instantaneous. But that doesn’t mean it’s not coupled with overwhelming fear.
I can only begin to imagine Mary’s thrill to know she was carrying the Savior, the Messiah, for Whom she had looked her whole short life. And yet, the fear of how she, a single girl, who was betrothed to a righteous man, could care for this child—possibly even alone, if Joseph abandoned her. The knowledge that she would be ridiculed by those who knew and loved her—or perhaps, even worse: stoned to death for the crime of adultery.
Fear takes on a whole new meaning when you see it mirrored in the eyes of the man you love. Mary’s fear was not only for herself, but for Joseph, her betrothed—knowing he would face shame, the burden of caring for the child, the responsibility of protecting not just his bride but her child.
“Be not afraid.” So many fears have gripped my mother-heart this time around. My friends have lost babies—why should I expect to keep the ones I’ve been given? Sometimes I don’t even have patience for two—how can I raise another? Diapers and car seats and cars and clothes all cost money—how will we afford to care for another child?
“Be not afraid.” And other passages echo it. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” “‘Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?” …your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’”
“Be not afraid.” This little one, too, was knit together by an Awesome Creator Who does all things well. “Be not afraid.” Whatever this new little blessing brings with it, He has promised that His grace, His power is perfect in my weakness.
“Be not afraid.” As I approach another Christmas season with a swollen belly, though my eyes are tired and too-often fearful, there’s also an expectant twinkle in them. In the midst of the laundry and the dishes and the child training, I’m singing with Mary—songs of praises to my King. I’m living and breathing the part of that young mother 2,000 years ago as never before. Because “Be not afraid,” has never been so dear a promise.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
–Luke 1:30-33
Congratulations! We heard the news from your in-laws about a month ago. I will keep you in my prayers. We are still hoping to have you over when we get back from California.
Celeste
Congratulations! I am happy for you and your family!
So excited to hear about your newest little blessing! I’ve been following you and your blog ever since you were expecting your first at the same time that I was. And now we are expecting our third also! It’s a great encouragement to see another mommy with little children(who also happens to be as in love with her husband as I am with mine!) 🙂 *HUGS* from a hitherto anonymous blog reader!
Aw, congratulations!! I find it so interesting how becoming a mother inflicts some of the most gripping fears. We worry while they’re in-womb. We worry while they’re newborns. We think we’ll quit worrying when they’re grown, but the opposite is true. My MIL lost her youngest son at the age of 28. We never stop worrying, we just hold them close, in arms and in heart, and trust that God in His sovereignty will handle the rest.
Just. so. beautiful.! And, yay, *happy news*! Congratulations!!!
Great post and a needed reminder…thank you!
Congratulations!
Congrats, Gretchen! I, too, find myself relating to Mary in a whole new way this Christmas now that I’m pregnant, too.
Wonderful news!! Praising God with you for this growing child 🙂
I never would have described myself as a fearful person until I had children. And then fears for them and the life I hope for them (choose wisdom my son!), fears for my marriage (as we multiply let us not divide!), fears for the physical (how will we afford diapers) and fears for the spiritual (Lord, will He be saved??!!) creeped into my heart and mind.
My husband reminded me that God’s grace to get through challenging circumstances is not availabe for my imagination. God’s grace is there when we NEED it. Not for antcipated fears, but for the fearful circumstances that we find ourselves ACTUALLY facing.
Mary’s song is one of my favourite (if I could have one!) parts of God’s Word.
Trusting His presence will be near and His grace abundant in your current (blessed!) condition <3
Vanessa
Thank you, Vanessa! I really appreciated your words. It’s such an encouragement to know that other moms have been there and understand.
Congratulations!! Did I miss a less-cryptic announcement? 🙂 So happy for you, Merritt, and the girls!! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 And no, you didn’t miss anything–I guess I’m always cryptic with my announcements… 😉
Oh, yes, those are very cryptic as well! I think back then I wasn’t following YLCF closely enough to catch the first announcement! 🙂
I enjoyed this post, by the way! 🙂
Congratulations on your new little one! I have a really silly question, I know you are a coffee drinker, do you quit coffee when you are expecting, and if so, is it really hard? I don’t have any kids yet and that is my biggest fear about getting pregnant (well that and childbirth). Thanks!
Oh your comment made me laugh, Heather! Because, you see, once upon a time, when I was very first due with my very first child, I quit drinking coffee. Soon I started drinking decaf, and then mixing half decaf with half caffeinated. And then I gave up and drank the real stuff. I never quit while nursing, either, except for in brief spurts when I thot perhaps my baby was awake more than usual in the night. By the second pregnancy, I was drinking brewed coffee as well as homemade mocha smoothies with protein powder–which made it seem much more healthy, of course!
All that to say, no, I did not quit. And yes, I guess it is hard! However, as my second pregnancy went on and I started drinking more and more pregnancy tea, I drank less coffee. I’ve just started drinking the pregnancy tea again (they say to wait until the second trimester), and I forgot how much I like it. It also doesn’t dehydrate me like I can tell coffee does. So, at least my pregnancy tea habit tempers my coffee drinking! 😉
Congratulations— I found this very helpful even though I am not a Mother myself- but I also need to “Be not afraid” as a single. Thank you Gretchen.
Congrats! When are you due? Do you get very sick? God loves these children even more than we do. He always provides what they need. But I really do understand the fear of the how it will all work out.
I’m officially due May 6, but I’m guessing it’ll be late April. 🙂 And no, I usually don’t get very sick (I just have to eat constantly to keep from feeling nauseated)–except, we always get the flu when I first get pregnant, and this time was no exception! 🙂
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Lovely post.
Oh yay! I’m so happy it’s known in the blogging world now!!! 🙂
Yes, you may now blog about your forthcoming niece or nephew as much as you like, sis! 😉
Is this an announcement for your blog readers that you are expecting ? If so, congratulations, I follow your blog and YLCF and I don’t remember seeing an announcement.
Don’t forget your blog readers are supportive and would love to hear any news….it is the only way to reach out an offer support and encouragement.
Stay strong 🙂
Congratulations!!!
and more *hugs* for you! Praying and so happy that God has blessed you immensely! 😉
::HUGS:: ::HUGS:: ::HUGS::
Just in case you need some extras along the way. 🙂