Thinking About Mary’s World Mrs. Hannah Brouillette Ellis
Becoming a mother, and holding my precious baby for the first time was a dream I have had since I was a little girl. In February of 2019, as a new wife, this dream was working its way into reality. I had a feeling that I may be pregnant, so I privately went to take a pregnancy test. The first line showed up on the test right away, and as the second line began to faintly appear, so did the tears in my eyes. My parents were at our house so I couldn’t shout out loud as I wanted to, but my husband had already guessed the result because in my excitement, I struggled with and finally burst through the door to where he was. I told him, “You’re going to be a daddy!” Together, in that moment, we experienced such joy and happiness that I could never adequately describe. Even though I knew it was best to wait to break the news to others, I sincerely wanted to tell everyone about this great blessing! During this time, I began to think about Mary. I can’t fully grasp how she must have felt in that moment when she was told she was going to be a mother. How will I tell Joseph? Will he even believe me when I tell him that I am pregnant, yet remain a virgin? Will he stay with me or leave me? What will people think about me, unmarried, but pregnant? Instead of her being excited and wanting to tell everyone right away as I was, I’m sure her heart was heavy and confused. In that moment, it probably seemed to her that her world was falling apart. “This is not how I planned my future!” Mary’s whole life changed. Not only was she going to be a mother, but she was told that her child would be the Jewish Messiah!
Then, late in her pregnancy, Joseph and Mary were forced to make the long journey to Bethlehem. When my own pregnancy was in the later stages, I had a hard time even walking to the car, much less having to travel on foot to Bethlehem! I can’t imagine the exhaustion and need for rest. Then, even after the arduous travel, they arrived and found no place to stay. Mary may have wondered why God had not prearranged some comfortable accommodation. After all, this child is the Son of God, right? My husband and I once took a weekend get-away and he didn’t think to make a hotel reservation in advance; we spent half the night stressing, trying to find somewhere to stay. Most wives would understand me when I say that I was more than upset! Mary and Joseph were ultimately offered a less than ideal place to stay, and Mary indeed gave birth and the Savior was born. I can imagine that when she held Jesus for the first time, all of those troubles, stresses, worries and doubts, began to melt away. Even though things seemed to be falling apart, they suddenly seemed to be falling into perfect place. The Savior had arrived at just the right place and time. Sometimes our lives seem to be turning upside down, and we don’t understand why things won’t just go according to our plans. We might feel like Mary … tired and exhausted, troubled and weary. But when the Savior enters into our lives, everything falls right into place. Will you invite Him in? Mrs. Hannah Brouillette Ellis lives in Marion NC with her husband Joshua and their daughter Natalie.
The Connection
WINTER 2020
15
