Are you pregnant and scared? Do you feel pregnant and alone?
Did the Virgin Mary ever feel this way? The Solemnity of Mary is held January 1st each year and is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation. The commentary will discuss whether Mary ever felt alone and scared while pregnant.
Today’s Gospel Reading – Luke 2:16-21
6 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, 18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them. 19 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told. 21 When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.Commentary on the Solemnity of Mary – I felt alone and pregnant and scared once.
Being pregnant and scared is no fun. We had not planned our fifth little boy, and I remember the fear I had in the days, weeks, and months after my husband left. There were always new questions I had no answers to and new threats to my family that I dealt with alone.
I was pregnant and scared and, worse, I felt pregnant and alone with so many questions and so little direction.
- How could I carry this baby to term?
- What if the stress and complications caused the baby to have problems?
- How could I face the agonizing pain of labor and delivery with no one at my side?
- What if the baby came in the middle of the night? How would I get to the hospital? Who would watch my other boys?
- I had been a stay at home mom. How would I support us?
- How could I handle working full time with five children?
- Would the other kids be okay?
- How would I explain my husband’s actions to this precious baby one day?
How did Mary Handle Being Pregnant?
Did you ever notice that nowhere in the Bible is Mary’s afraid to have a baby? Not once does she worry about the things I feared. I can almost picture her conversation with the Angel Gabriel.
Mary: “Okay so let me get this straight…The Lord who can do absolutely anything for absolutely anyone wants me to carry his child, and my dear Joseph is going to be cool with this?”
The angel scuffs his wings on the ground before looking her in the eye: “Well, no not exactly. Joseph will try to divorce you,” Mary gasps and he quickly adds, “But Joseph will do it quietly and then God will let explain things to him.”
Mary nods and continues: “So we were chosen to face whispers and judgement and ride on the back of a donkey all the way to Bethlehem?”
Angel Gabriel: “Yep.”
Mary: “And I’ll be 9 months pregnant during that ride?”
The Angel nods again.
Mary: “And when we finally get to Bethlehem, there will be no five star hotel waiting. Where will we stay?”
Angel: “Well, there’s this guy. He’s got a stable behind his inn, and we think we can fit you between the cows and the sheep. Oh – and you’ll have lots of visitors. Shepherds, wise men, and a little drummer boy will make long journeys for the Christ Child.”
Mary: “So after a long journey on the back of a mule while 9 months pregnant, I’ll give birth in a barn with no place to freshen up. My baby will sleep between stable animals, and we’ll visited by guests who beat a drum and cann’t wash their hands before seeing the newborn?”
The Angel shook his head, but then said, “for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1: 37).
Mary smling: “No problem!”
Back to Reality
That may not have been the way it happened, but the important fact is that Mary was never scared and pregnant because she knew no one is ever alone and pregnant. She knew it would not be easy and I imagine she must have had some twinges at the thought of labor, but she knew she could handle whatever came her way because God was in charge. God had given her that baby and would use it for good. Mary
If you are pregnant and scared or feeling pregnant and alone, no matter what age or circumstances, there is help. You are not alone. Please reach out to CareNet or Birth Right or another crisis pregnancy center or contact me through comments or my contact me button. I have been there. I know.
Something to Think About:
We are quick to judge others, especially unwed mothers. My exerience has shown me it can happen to anyone. How can you reach out to a single mother today? List five things you can do to help a crisis pregnancy center or single mother this week. Then do at least three of them. Keep it up throughout the year. I’d love to hear what you do!
Remember
Just because you did not plan your baby this way, does not mean your baby is unplanned. May peace and love find you. God Bless…