Not Quite What I Expected... thoughts

I decided to take a break from the book this week because I am not in the mood to talk about fear which is the title of our next reading... Forgive me! But I've been working hard on the Christmas pageant this week, thinking a lot about the chaos and joy that pageants somehow always bring! I hope you'll be there. As is our tradition, everyone gets a part in the play... Come, bring the kids, and let's have some fun celebrating Jesus' birth.

Anyway, what really struck me was the overall title of the section we're reading, "Not Quite What I Expected...." I imagine Mary felt that way every single day of her pregnancy, and every single day of Jesus' life - for the same reasons we do. Who knew what pregnancy and motherhood would really be like? I certainly didn't know, and based on some of the comments posted recently, many of you were/are in the same boat. I remember at my baby shower my mother and another "older woman" exchanged one of those "looks," suggesting we young moms had no idea what was coming. They were right, of course, and thinking back, I believe their look was meant in a "we can't wait for you to join this club" sort of way. They knew that we would figure it out, just as they had.

And Mary figured it out, too - the joy of a new baby, the excitement of a toddler, the challenges of a student, the anxiety of an adolescent. You get the picture. Isn't it nice to know that Jesus, God incarnate, was parented by a woman? That he was probably a typical little kid, and she did everything she could so that he would become who he was meant to be. She must have been amazing. (and we won't talk about what she goes through at the cross)

Sarah came home from college yesterday, chatty and enthusiastic. I had these great expectations that she would start putting the decorations up, and beginning tomorrow, help out with some shopping. But when she texted me at 11, she was still in bed!! Not what I'd expected! But I've missed her and love her and don't blame her one bit for sleeping the day away! She's worked hard and needs the rest. It's all part of the journey of growing into who God's created us to be. I'm so glad we are blessed with the chance to be part of that creating and growing.

See you Sunday I hope!
Blessings-
Rev. Meredith