Mary: Mothering During Uncertainty In honor of Mother’s Day, I sought out to create a special motherhood episode. I considered interviewing my grandmothers and mother for the episode, but with the current situation, I wouldn’t be able to interview them in person. While I do most interviews remotely, that would be technologically challenging with my grandmas. So, instead, I started thinking about mothers around me, who had a great story to tell that we could learn from? Who would be inspiring to you guys? Not able to come up with the right fit, I prayed for direction. And I realized I wanted to record an episode about Mothers of the Bible. What does the Bible say about a mother? I found scriptures about a mother consoling and comforting, how Sarah waited, Hagar endured, and Rebekah believed. But, I still wasn’t finding clear direction for this episode. Once again, I started thinking about mothers around me. I started thinking about my friends and family members that were at different stages of motherhood. Mothers who have just found out they are expecting and are fearful and anxious Expectant mothers who are not able to celebrate their pregnancies with friends and family New Mothers who have had to deliver in less than ideal circumstances, with no family members present in a strange place Mothers of infants that they are trying to protect and keep healthy Mothers who are separated from their children and worry about their safety Mothers who are learning to evolve in a new normal Mothers whose older children have missed important milestones in life Mothers who are worried about their children’s economic well-being in the future Mothers who have had to release control of their adult children and trust that they will be safe Motherhood is an unnerving process filled with concerns along the way. Each stage brings new concerns and worries. However, in this time of so many unknowns, we mothers find ourselves facing more fears than ever before. And so, I’ve looked to the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus, for steps that we can take as Mothers. Mary was a very young peasant that gave birth during a census and time of political unrest. Sound familiar? She was told that she had to return to her village of origin (Stay Home orders/Shelter in Place) close to the time of giving birth. She was engaged to Joseph, and her unexpected pregnancy not only interrupted her upcoming wedding celebration plans but nearly cost her the relationship. So, if your child has missed a major life moment such as graduation or a wedding, you can look to Mary and the way she handled her plans being completely wrecked. Luke 1:26-31: When the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to tell her that she was pregnant, he told this young unwed girl that she was “the Lord was with her, and Do Not Be Afraid.” He also told her that “Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:38 shows us that Mary responded with “Let it be according to your word.” Three things that Mary did in the very beginning that we can strive to do as Mothers today 1. Believe that God can do what he says he can do. 2. Submit to his will 3. See his will fulfilled Much like those of you that are expecting today, Mary had to give birth in a strange place, without being surrounded by friends or family, and it probably didn’t look like her ideal birth plan. She could only celebrate with the three shepherds that were there. When King Herod heard news of the birth, she was told her son was in danger and had to flee from Bethlem to Egypt where she, Joseph, and her son had to live in isolation, away from friends and family, and on a tight budget. She did two things here that we can apply to our time of economic uncertainties and social distancing: 1. Mary trusted 2. Mary obeyed When Jesus...